Cougars Track Post Strong Showing at Redlands Invitational

By Mari Kneisel /COC Sports Information

College of the Canyons participated in the University Redlands Invitational on Friday, March 14, with the Cougars seeing top marks in several events.  

COC freshman Gavin Dion led the men's side with two first-place finishes starting with a time of 4:04.13 in the 1500m and later running a sub two-minute 800m time of 1:59.32. Sophomore Jack Eaton followed closely in the 800m placing sixth in the field of 20 runners with his time of 2:02.76. 

Representing Canyons in the 400m, freshman Josh Smith claimed second with his time of 50.90. 

On the women's side, freshman Hazel Rhodes continued to put in work running to a first-place finish in the 200m (26.26) and was fourth overall in the 100m (13.16). She also was a member of the second-place 4x100m relay team (50.26) alongside Monique Fulling, Syrai Piper and Amara Shields. 

Rhodes also competed in discus and javelin, accompanying fellow freshman Jessica Clemmons, who also took part in the shot put.

Freshman Victoria Jamison was another top finisher for Canyons crossing the line first in the 1500m by nearly eight seconds, with her time of 4:58.12.  

Fulling made her way across the line in second place in the 400m (1:01.76) and jumped to a third place finish in the long jump (4.89m/16'0.5"), her best mark of the season.  

Sophomore Samantha Miranda-Rodriguez took third in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:15.52 and sophomore Emily Fairbanks ran to fifth place in the 800m with a time of 2:32.73.

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons is set to host the Western State Conference (WSC) Inland Meet on Friday, March 21 at Cougar Stadium. Field events are set to start at 11 a.m. and running events will begin at 12 p.m. 

Top Performers (M)

• Gavin Dion ­– 1st, 1500m (4:04.13); 1st, 800m (1:59.32)
• Josh Smith – 2nd, 400m (50.90)
• Nathaniel Wilkinson – 4th, 1500m (4:19.92)
• Jack Eaton – 6th, 800m (2:02.76)

Top Performers (W)

• Hazel Rhodes – 1st, 200m (26.26); 4th, 100m (13.16)
• Victoria Jamison – 1st, 1500m (4:58.12)
• Monique Fulling – 2nd, 400m (1:01.76); 3rd, Long Jump (4.89m, 16'0.5")
• Samantha Miranda Rodriguez – 3rd, 400H (1:15.52)
• Emily Fairbanks – 5th, 800m (2:32.73)

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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

—Photo by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information