Cougars Continue to Improve at Cerritos Invitational

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

CERRITOS — The College of the Canyons track & field program had another strong outing in its lead up to next week's conference prelims, with the Cougars combining for 14 top-10 finishes and a pair of event victories at the annual Cerritos College Invitational, which included a mix of community college and four-year programs.

The women's 4x400 relay team of Zeniah Ellsworth, Kaiya Cortinas, Emily Cruz and Katelyn Catu joined forces to clock a time of 4:21.79 to win that event. 

Ellsworth also had a strong individual day taking sixth in the 400m (1:00.76) and eighth in the 200m (26.00).

Cortinas finished eighth in the 1500m (5:19.10) and 12th in the 800m (2:31.72). Catu ran to 11th in the 800m (2:30.66) while Cruz placed 12th in the 1500m (5:27.72). 

Nathaniel Wilkinson won the 3,000m steeplechase at a time of 10:12.84 to represent the lone victory on the men's side. 

Jerome Hughes was runner-up in the 800m at a time of 1:54.48. Meanwhile, Travis Royal recorded a throw of 45.63m/149' 8" in the javelin to check in at fifth place.

Sam Regez placed sixth in the 5,000m (15:48.43) and later finished 10th in the 800m (1:59.59). 

In the field events it was Andre Bray, JT Saenz and Damon Barkus posting the team's top results. 

Barkus was ninth in the long jump (6.45m/21' 2") ahead of Saenz in 12th (6.27m/20' 7").

Bray leaped to a mark of 12.14m/39' 10" to finish eighth in the triple jump with Saenz once again following close behind in ninth (12.13m/39' 9.75").

Canyons has found favorable results in the relay events. The 4x100 team of Da'Marrie Smith, Bray, Saenz and Lyndon Ravare took fourth at 43.14. Elsewhere, the 4x400 squad of Heath Arceneaux, Saenz, Bray and Hughes ran to third at 3:27.47.

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons will next compete at the Western State Conference (WSC) Prelims & Championships beginning Friday, April 19 at Antelope Valley College. 

The competition continues the following week with Championship events being held Friday, April 26 at Bakersfield College. 

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.