Cougars Qualify for 17 Events at CCCAA SoCal Prelims

College of the Canyons track & field will compete in a combined 17 events at this weekend's California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Regional Championships hosted by Cerritos College on May 13.

Canyons put together a successful qualifying run at the SoCal Prelims, claiming 17 spots on the women's side and seven for the men's team. A combined 16 athletes from both teams will compete for the Cougars.

Men's team qualifiers included Weston Lombardo in the pole vault (4.35m) and high jump (1.85m), and Marcel Sylvester who will also compete in the high jump (1.90m). 

Blake Beeler in the 400m (49.00) and Garrett Noltemeyer in the 3,000m steeplechase (10:01.61) both qualified for the SoCal Championships.

Likewise, for the 4x400m relay team (3:19.84) of Tochukwe Eze, Keion Broadus, Leo Lambert III and Blake Beeler.

COC's women's team qualifiers include Jasmine Hall in the high jump (1.60m), long jump (5.28m), javelin (36.10m) and 100h (14.76). Hall will also compete as a member of the 4x100m relay team (50.98) alongside teammates Ariana Cooper, Tayler Stiverson and Keyana Session.

Kaitlyn Matthews will also move on in the high jump (1.60m).

Dana Bowers qualified in the javelin (36.10m), and shot put (11.21m), while Samiyah Hawkins will advance in the discus (37.51m) and shot put (11.29m).

Cooper moves on in the 400h (1:04.94), as will Jessica Ruiz in the 1,500m (4:55.22).

Díani Ellis clocked a time of 11:34.36 in the 3,000m steeplechase to represent the time top in the region. Ellis also qualified in the 5,000m (19:03.44) along with teammate Shalyn Mabritto (19:01.91).

The CCCAA SoCal Championships will get underway at 9 a.m. on Saturday.