Head Coach Steve Jacobs and the Mesa tracksters descended upon Hutchinson, Kansas and returned to Mesa with a National Champion and five new All-Americans.
Samantha Henderson took 3rd in the Heptathlon, Samia Stokes took 2nd in the Discus, Robbie Haynie took 2nd in the Pole Vault, Sean McPherson took 3rd in the Hammer, Alesha Asijie brought Mesa an individual National Championship in capturing the Women's Hammer.
Mesa CC tracksters hosted the Region I Championships May 4-14 and both men's and women's teams notched 2nd place finishes.
Both teams scored over 200 points, which is a remarkable scoring feat.
In all, there were 13 Region I Champions. Samantha Henderson was named Female Athlete of the Meet. On the men's side,
Justin Royer won both the 3000M Steeplechase and the 10,000M. Samantha Henderson won both the Long Jump and the Heptathlon.
Robbie Haynie won two events as well, taking the Decathlon and Pole Vault events. Sean McPherson took home both the Shot and Discus.
Individual event winners included Lauren Pew in the Pole Vault, Joshua Dekonty in the High Jump, Patrick Jean in the 400M, Alesha Asijie in the Hammer, and Samia Stokes in the Discus.
With nearly 30 national qualifiers, Coach Steve Jacobs is enjoying one of the more fruitful seasons in recent memory for Mesa Track & Field.
All Mesa athletes Region I event results are posted below.
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A true sign of coaching getting across to their kids is when those kids are setting personal records each time out.
Mesa's runners are doing just that.
In the 400m Jasper Jones and Patrick Jean both set personal records, as did Kyle Ehrke and Erin Norris in the 1500m.
Hailey Hanna qualified for Nationals in the 1500m.
In the 400m hurdles, Chris Seleen set a four-second personal record.
In the 4x100, Jasper Jones, Tim Peterson, Clark Coyle, and Patrick Jean also notched a season personal record.
The women's 4x400 team qualified for Nationals.
In the high jump, Robbie Haynie, Kyle Byrne, and Tehara Moore all qualified for Nationals.
Robbie Haynie also posted a big season personal record in the pole vault.
Josh Dekonty set personal records in both the long jump and triple jump. Chris Seleen set a personal record in the long jump. Sean McPherson set a big personal record in the shot put.
Alesha Asijie set a big season record in the discus.
Samia Stokes, Shanna Passey, Joe Riccio, Sean McPherson, and Mike Kandel set season personal records in the hammer.
In the javelin, Chris Seleen, Shanna Passey, and Samantha Henderson all set personal records.
Hailey Hanna heard all the coaches yelling at their kids to not let the community college girl beat them.
Apparently that had an effect on her as she set a monstrous 27-second personal record in the 3000m.
The men's 4x400 set a personal record in placing 6th overall.
Samantha Henderson set a new personal record in the 100m hurdles.
Lauren Pew took sixth place in the pole vault and Samantha Henderson took fifth in the long jump.
In the discus, Samia Stokes took ninth overall in a very stiff field with a personal record of 464.32m. Stokes also set a personal record along with Alesha Asijie. The two took seventh and fourth respectively.
Sam Benavides set a personal record in the 800m.
In the 3000m steeplechase, Spencer Deavila set a 17-second personal record and qualifying for nationals.
Finally, Josh Dekonty took fifth place in the high jump.
Mesa Track & Field has a new record holder.
Samia Stokes set a new mark in the discus on Saturday, March 21 at the Arizona State University's annual Baldy Castillo Invitational.
Stokes' throw of 46.32 meters, or 152 feet set a new mark that was previously held by Michelle Amete since 2005.
"Samia has been as solid as they come this year for our squad," says Head Coach Steve Jacobs.
Mesa Thunderbirds have their largest contingent of National Qualifiers in years heading to Lubbock, Texas on Thursday for the National Meet on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7.
"This is definitely the most qualifiers I've had coaching in 20 years here," says Jacobs.
In all, 25 men and women will vie for individual national titles.
Multi-event qualifiers include Alesha Asijie, Samia Stokes, Hailey Hanna, Coutney Wood, Samantha Henderson, and Joesph Riccio.
Other qualifiers on the men's side include Clark Coyle, Josh DeKonty, Tim Freet, Patrick Jean, Jasper Jones, Trevor Leavitt, Sean McPherson,and Brandon Ottens.
Additional qualifiers on the women's side include Jolanne Balderamma, Taylor Fowler, Tommyka Henry, Racine McClure, Samantha Meyerhoff, Tehara Moore, Erin Norris, Lauren Pew, Mary Catherine Ricks, and Alexandra Stinchfield.
Mesa Dominates At Home In Double Duel
Clean sweep over Gateway, Pima, and PVCC
Excitement permeated the track as the Thunderbirds kick off their Outdoor Track & Field season at home in Riggs Stadium. It was a Double Duel between Mesa Community, Gateway, Paradise Valley, and Pima, and the ACCAC 1st meet on Friday, February 20.
Scores were as follows:
Men:
MCC 140 Gateway 3
MCC 120.5 Paradise Valley 58.5
MCC 115 Pima 79
Women:
MCC 135 Gateway 6
MCC 123 Paradise Valley 47
MCC 118.5 Pima 64.6
In the 100M for the women, Courtney Wood took first and TeHara Moore took second. For the men, Brandon Cole notched third. Moore also finished third in the 200M with a season personal best. In the 400M, Tommyka Henry notched third with a personal season best.
In the 800M, it was a big day for mid distance as Jolanne Baldarrama and Samantha Meyerhoff turned in a five-second PR and Sam Meyerhoff came in with a three-second PR. On the men’s side, Coyle placed second and Matt Swift-Kraemer posted an amazing 17- second PR.
In the 1500M, the women placed one-two with Hailey Hanna, MaryRicks turning in big PR’s. The event saw Hanna qualify for both indoor and outdoor in 1500. All girls turned in a personal best: Brooke Eulate, Erin Norris, and Jolanne Baldarramma. On the men’s side Swift-Kramer again turned in a great race. There was also a PR from Josh Tso.
In the 5000 Women, Hanna and Meyerhoff finish one-two which qualified Hanna for outdoor and Meyerhoff for indoor. In the men's 5000, Justin Royer turned in another great race and placed first for the Thunderbirds.
In the 100M Hurdles, women went one-two again with Wood and Henderson. Wood qualified for outdoor.
In the 400M Hurdles, women placed one and four with Wood and Brittany Butters. Both qualified for outdoor. In the men's 400M Hurdles, Ayden Wilber, Gardner, and Chris Seleen went one, three, five.
In the 3000M Steeple Chase, Wais Ahmadi placed second.
In the 4X100M, the women took first and the men took second. In the 4X400M, both men and women placed second.
In the Disc, Samia Stokes and Alesha Asijie placed one-two with Stokes qualifying and Asijie turning in a PR. On the men's side, Joe Riccio and Shane McPherson went one-two with Riccio qualifying and turning in a PR.
In the Hammer, women went one-two with Asijie/Stokes, both qualifying. The men swept one-two-three with McPherson, Riccio, and Michael Kandel.
In the Javelin, women went one-three-four with Lauren Pew, Taylor Fowler, and Shanna Passey. The men followed up with a sweep two through five with Kyle Byrne, Riccio, Kandel, and Brandon Ottens.
In the Shot Put, women went one-two-four with Asijie, Samantha Henderson, and Stokes. Asijie qualified and Henderson turned in a PR. On the men's side, Mesa hit for a one-two-three sweep and all qualified: Riccio, Mc Pherson, Ottens. Ottens turned in a PR as well as a huge PR for Kandel in placing sixth.
In the High Jump, women went one-two-four with Henderson, Moore, and Butters, with Henderson qualifying. The men went one-two with Josh DeKonty and Byrne as DeKonty turned in a qualifying mark.
In the Long Jump, Henderson and Moore went one-two for women and the men swept with DeKonty, Byrne, and Robbie Haynie.
In the Pole Vault, women placed one-three-five with a tie between Fowler and Stinchfield for third putting Morris fifth and a win by Lauren Pew. Pew, Fowler and Stinchfield qualified for outdoor and Pew turned in a PR vault. On the men’s side, they placed one and three with Haynie and Trevor Leavitt as Haynie qualified for nationals.
Finally, in the Triple Jump, the women went one-two with Henry and Moore. On the men's side, DeKonty and Olivas, with Olivas turning in a big PR for a place of two and four.
The Outdoor team qualified in 10 different events for men and women combined. Fifteen athletes combined for both men and women. Multi qualifiers are Asijie, Stokes, Hanna, Wood, Henderson, and Riccio for men.
PVCC Indoor Sees More Mesa Nationals Hopefuls
Coach Jacobs adds more National qualifiers
The final Indoor Track & Field meet of the 2009 season was held at Paradise Valley Community College on Saturday, February 14.
It was a big day for the mid-distance teamsas both men's and women's 4x800m relay teams qualified for Nationals at PVCC.
The women were led by Mary Catherine Ricks who turned in a new personal record, seven seconds better than any previous effort. Sam Meyerhoff set a new personal record as well. Her's was by one second as she took 2nd for Mesa. Jolanne Balderrama set a new personal record by four seconds and took 3rd. Erin Norris blew away her former best effort by nine seconds and rounded out the qualifying team for the mesa women 4x800.
The men were led by a seven second personal record from Coyle Clack. Sam Benavides and Josh Burton also set new personal records on the qualifying team.
Hailey Hanna won the 5000 meters by over a minute and turned in a National qualifier. On the men's side of the 5000, Mesa's Kyle Ehrke and Justin Royer went one-two.
Ehrke also won the 1500 meters, turning in a personal best. Logan Burlew and CJ Griner also set personal bests for Mesa.
In the 3000 meters, Brooke Eulate turned in a great race and a battle to the finish, earning a 45-second personal best.
Jasper Cole and Jasper Jones of Mesa turned in personal records in the 200 meters.
Tommyka Henry, Joseph Gardner, and Edwin Berry all set personal bests in the 400 meters.
Tehara Moore (women) and Josh DeKonty (men) placed second in high jump and earning qualifying marks.
The men's pole vault saw Mesa’s Robby Haynie taking first place and earning a season personal record.
In the women's long jump, Samantha Henderson took first place and earned a National qualifying mark.
In the men's long jump, Josh Dekonty took first and Brandon Cole and Chris Seleen earned personal records.
In the shot put, Alesha Asijie and Samantha Henderson went one-two. Shanna Passey turned in a remarkable personal best.
For the men, McPherson and Ottens went one-two.
In the weight throw, Asijie and Samia Stokes took one-two.
The men swept the weight, placing one-two-three, as Joe Riccio, McPherson, and Ottens got it done. McPherson and Kandel turned in personal bests.
Weather Holds Up As Does Mesa Track at Pima Indoor
Men and women shine in shot and weight
What was expected to be a rainy weekend turned out just the opposite. The breezy conditions brought Mesa Track & Field home to Phoenix on a tail wind on Saturday, February 7.
The women swept the shot as Alesha Asijie, Samantha Henderson, and Samia Stokes went 1-2-3. Asijie and Stokes also went 1-2 for Mesa in weight throw. Stokes, Asijie, and Shanna Passey went 1-2-6 for Mesa in discus. Samia Stokes actually threw for the OUTDOOR qualifying mark. Passey set personal records in both the shot and weight throw.
On the men's side, McPherson and Brandon Ottens went 1-4 in the shot, with Ottens qualifying for Nationals.
Christopher Seleen set a personal record in the 60m hurdles for the men. In the weight throw, Joseph Riccio set a personal best by.10 meters. Robbie Haynie set a personal best as well in the pole vault. Lastly, Seleen and Reuben Stigler both set personal records in the long jump.
Mesa has three more national qualifiers as Patrick Jean qualified in the 400m dash, Brandon Ottens in the shot, and the women's 4x4. The 4x4 team consisting of Courtney Wood, Kaitlyn Miller, Racine McClure, and Samantha Hendersoncame in second behind Paradise Valley but set a very impressive four-second personal record.
Next up for Mesa is the PVCC Indoor this coming weekend, February 13-14 at Paradise Valley Community College. Friday's events kick off at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday starts off at 10:00 a.m.
Three More Tracksters Qualify At Mountain "T"
Mesa now has 17 representing at nationals
Northern Arizona hosted the annual Mountain ""T" initational on January 30-31, 2009 in the LJ Walkup Skydome
Mesa tracksters shines for the second consecutive weekend and have three more national qualifiers to join festivities at the NJCAA Indoor Nationals march 6-7 in Lubbock, Texas.
Sean McPherson qualified in the Men's Shot Put with a throw of 52' 2.75". McPherson was fourth overall in the invitational.
Courtney Wood qualified in the Women's 60 M Hurdles with a time of 9.05.
Trevor Leavitt won the Men's Pole Vault competition to qualify for Nationals with a jump of 14' 7.25".
Next up for team Mesa is the Pima Indoors in Tucson on February 7. Times are to be announced.
First Meet Of 2009 Sees Mesa Qualify 14 For Nationals
Puma Indoor Invitational showcases Mesa tracksters
Coach Steve Jacobs and the Mesa Track & Field team are off to a fast start.
In just the first meet of the 2009 campaign, Mesa already has 14 qualifiers for NJCAA Nationals in Lubbock, Texas on March 6-7, 2009.
Freshman Hailey Hanna won the 3000 meter with a time of 10:53.83.
Sophomore Patrick Jean placed second and qualified in the men's 200 meter with a 22.32.
In the men's 400 meter, freshman Clack Coyle won his event with a 49.24.
Mesa women won the distance medley with a time of 13:49.29. That team consists of Hailey Hanna, Samantha Meyerhoff, Mary Catherine Ricks, and Brooke Eulate.
Freshman Alesha Asijie won the women's shot put with a 13.58 meter toss.
Freshman Joseph Riccio won the men's shot put with a 15.45 meter toss.
In the women's weight throw, freshman Alesha Asijie won the event with a 16.78 meter throw. Her teammate, sophomore Samia Stokes came in second with a 13.81 meter throw.
Freshman Samantha Henderson won the women's high jump with a 1.55 meter jump.
In the women's pole vault, freshman Lauren Pew took third overall with a 3.41 meter vault. Freshman Alexandra Stinchfield took sixth overall with a 3.11 meter. Freshman Loretta Morris took eighth overall with a 2.96 meter vault. Lastly, freshman Tory Enderson-Vail took 12th and qualified with a 2.81 meter vault.
"We had a great start and there will be more qualifiers to come so we are very excited about that," says Head Coach Steve Jacobs.
NJCAA Nationals Results
Updated May 25, 2008
Mesa Women - 7th overall (41.5 points)
Mesa Men - 19th overall (10 points)
Women
Alesha Asijie
2nd in Shot Put - 46'.5" - 8 pts, 6th in Hammer - 140'7" - 3 pts, 5th in Discus - 125'8" - 4 pts
Samantha Henderson
3rd in Heptathlon - 4625 points - 6 pts, 4th in High Jump - 5'3" - 5 pts, 10th in Long Jump - 17'7.5"
Lauren Pew
2nd in Pole Vault - 11'8.5" - 8 pts
Lisa Navarro
4th in Pole Vault - 10'8.75" - 5 pts
Alexandra Stinchfield
6th in Pole Vault - 10'2.75" - 3 pts
Men
Brandon Ottens
3rd in Shot Put -52'4" - 6 pts
Jack Heiman
5th in Discus - 143'6" - 4 pts
Brendan McMaster
13th in 3000 M Steeplechase - 9:59.38
Josh Dekonty
13th in Triple Jump - 45'.25", 13th in High Jump - 6'4.75"
Regional Roundup
Final Regional Tally May 14, 2008
Mesa Women - 2nd place overall with 168.5 points
Mesa Men - 5th place overall with 95 points
Mesa Men Placers
Spivey Vasquez
4th in 400 M - 49.51, 7th in 200 M - 22.41
Josh Dekonty
1st in High Jump - 6'6.75", 6th in Long Jump - 20'10", 3rd in Triple Jump - 44'11.5"
Jarred Jonovich
2nd in Javelin - 179'7", 3rd in Hammer - 146'4"
Michael Kandel
4th in Javelin - 146'11"
Ayden Wilber
8th in 400 M Hurdles - 59.42
Jack Heiman
3rd in Discus - 150'3", 6th in Hammer - 135'1", 7th in Shot Put -39'9.75"
Chris Johnson
5th in 400 M - 50.68
Miles Fakhoury
8th in Javelin- 113'2"
Brandon Ottens
2nd in Shot Put - 51'4.5", 8th in Hammer - 114'3"
Brendan McMaster
2nd in 10,000 M - 33:00.81, 2nd 3000 M Steeplechase - 10:02.71
Daniel Bowen
5th in 3000 M Steeplchase -10:52.39
David Hecht
7th in 3000 M Steeplechase - 10:55.72
Mesa Women Placers
Samantha Henderson
1st in Heptathlon, 1st in Long Jump -17'6.25", 1st in High Jump - 5'5.25",
4th in Javelin - 97'9", 3rd in 100 M Hurdles - 15.67, 7th in 200 M - 26.89
Ashley Asijie
1st in Hammer - 147'
Tommyka Henry
2nd in Triple Jump - 34'1.5", 6th in 100 M - 13.42
Hannah Rucker
5th in 100 M - 13.36
Shanna Passey
3rd in Hammer - 85'9", 5th in Shot Put - 30'.25", 2nd in Discus - 119'11", 6th in Javelin - 90'8"
Ingrid Mollenkopf
1st in 10,000 M - 39:59.20, 5th in 5000 M - 19:48.70
Lauren Pew
2nd in Pole Vault - 11'8.5"
Lisa Navarro
3rd in Pole Vault - 11'2.5"
Alexandra Stinchfield
5th in Pole Vault - 10'8.75"
Tory Enderson-Vail
3rd in Triple Jump -31'6.5"
Final Regional Results (story)
updated May 13, 2008
Mesa Track & Field coaches have nearly 20 athletes heading to national competition after stellar performances in the Regional Championships that concluded May 8.
The women's team finished 2nd overall tallying 168.5 points. The men finished 5th overall tallying 95 points.
The women, anchored by the efforts of Samantha Henderson, did all they could to hold off Central Arizona. Henderson placed first overall individually, followed by her teammate, Alesha Asijie, who finished second overall.
Henderson scored an astounding 57.5 points herself, and Asijie tallied 30 in her events.
Henderson won the heptathlon, the high jump (5'5.25"), the long jump (17'6.25"), placed 2nd in the shot put (35'3.75"), 4th in the javelin (97'9"), 2nd in the 100 m hurdles (15.33), 5th in the 200 m (26.2), was the anchor on the 4 x 100 m relay team that took 3rd place overall (51.34), and finally, Henderson was the #2 slot on the 4 x 400 m relay team that took 4th place overall (4:39.13).
Asijie was equally amazing. In winning the hammer throw, Asijie threw over 30 feet farther than the second place finisher (147' to 116'). Her first place in the shot put (42'9.5") dominated the competition as well. Asijie also won the discus event (128'5") by nearly ten feet.
Long distance star Ingrid Mollenkopf took the 10,000 m in a time of 39:59.20. She also placed 5th in the 5000 m with a 19:48.70.
Spivey Vasquez took 4th overall in the 400 m for the men with a time of 49.51. Chris Johnson took 5th in the same event with a time of 50.68.
Hannah Rucker scored a 5th place finish overall in the women's 100 m with a time of 13.36, while Tommyka Henry also scored in the same event, finishing 6th with a time of 13.42.
In the 400 m hurdles on the men's side, Ayden Wilber placed 8th for Mesa with a time of 59.42.
In the distance category on the men's side, Brendan McMaster took 2nd overall in the 10,000 m with a time of 33:00.81.
McMaster also finished 2nd overall on the 3000 m steeplechase with a 10:02.71. Teammates Daniel Bowen (10:52.39) finished 5th, and David Hecht (10:55.72) finished 7th in the same event.
Shanna Passey placed 3rd in the hammer (85.09), 5th in the shot put (30'.25"), 2nd in discus (119'11"), and 6th in javelin (90'8").
Tommyka Henry finished 2nd in the triple jump with a 34'1.5".
Lauren Pew took 2nd in the pole vault with a 11'8.5". Lisa Navarro took 3rd in the same event with a 11'2.5". Alexandra Stinchfield took 5th in the pole vault with a 10'8.75". Stinchfield and Navarro also placed on relay teams.
Tory Enderson-Vail placed 5th in the triple jump with a distance of 31'6.5".
Jared Jonovich took 3rd in the men's hammer with a 146'4" throw. He also placed 2nd in the javelin with a 179'7" throw.
Jack Heiman took 3rd overall in the discus throw with a 150'3" mark. Heiman also placed 6th in the hammer with a 135'1", and 7th in the shot put, with a 38'9.75" mark.
Brandon Ottens finished 2nd in the shot put with a 51'4.5" heave. Ottens also took 8th in the hammer (114'3").
Josh Dekonty won the high jump with a 6'6.75" leap, took 6th in the long jump (20'10"), and 3rd in the triple jump (44'11.5").
Michael Kandel placed fourth in the javelin with a 146'11" throw.
Miles Fakhoury placed 8th in the javelin with a 113'2" throw.
John Harrison placed in the 4 x 400 m relay as the anchor.
Nationals take place May 15-17 at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. Competitors from Mesa Community College will be updated as information comes in.
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2008 Track & Field
15 women and 26 men make up formidable team
Head Coach Steve Jacobs has 41 reasons to be excited about his 2008 Track & Field team. He hopes those 41 tracksters can bring Mesa glory throughout the year and into nationals.
With the efforts of Colin Post, Eamonn Condon, Kevin Henderson, Ralph Haynie, James Smith, and John Godina, Jacobs has plenty of assistance on board to ensure that his athletes get all of the guidance they need to compete in the grueling ACCAC.
The Puma Invitational kicks things off on January 26 at Paradise Valley Community College. The Mountain "T" Invitational follows on February 2 in Flagstaff on the campus of NAU. February 9 in Glendale, the Gaucho Indoor at Glendale Community Collegetakes place. Finally Paradise Valley hosts again, this time at the Paradise Valley Indoor Invitational on February 16.
The NJCAA Indoor Championships will be held at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL on March 7-8.
Collin Post Is New Mesa Throws Coach
Alumnus Collin Post will take over as coach of the Mesa Community College men’s and women’s track & field weight throwers in the upcoming academic year, succeeding Selmer Olson who retired after 36 years on the MCC staff.
Post is also a graduate of Gilbert Highland High School and Boise State University. While at MCC, he was an NJCAA All-American and set school and regional records in the hammer throw.
Olson joined the MCC track program under the late Carvel Jackson in 1973 and over the years developed the reputation as one of the country’s top coaches in the weight events. Many athletes came to Mesa to benefit from his instruction. In the past three years, 12 of his T-Bird throwers won national championships. He was twice named Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Junior College Athletic Association.
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Spring 2007 Track & Field
Track Men Take 15th, Women 20th At Nationals
MCC Tracksters bode well with rest of ACCAC
With ten representatives at the Track & Field Nationals in Coffeyville, Kansas, Mesa's presence was felt throughout the weekend. With two 2nd-place finishes from Angie Sandell in the pole vault and Curtis Durocher in the hammer throw , one 3rd- place result from James Galvan in the 800 meters, and a surprise 6th- place from the 4 x 100 meter relay team comprised of Mitchell Gladstone, Todd Kreimeyer, Patrick Scott, and Anthony Jamison, Mesa's coaching staff is proud of the overall performances.
The men finished 15th overall and the women took 20th.
The ACCAC fared quite well in the NJCAA Division I Championships as Central Arizona brought home the title. Paradise Valley finished 12th in the competition. Glendale Community College, Pima Community College, and Scottsdale Community College took 20th, 22nd, and 29th respectively.
Click here for complete performance lists for nationals
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Track & Field Stars Shine at Nationals
Coaches Steve Jacobs and Ronnie Williams had ten athletes in Nationals competition the weekend of May 18 in Coffeyville, Kansas. All ten had strong efforts.
Angie Sandell placed second in the pole vault with a height of 12' even. "She had one more miss than the champ did in the early tries, otherwise she would've won it all," said coach Ronnie Williams.
Curtis Durocher also brought home a second place finish in the hammer throw.
James Galvan finished third in the 800 meters with a time of 1:51.40. "He was winning the race the whole time, but it was really windy and James came up just short," said Williams.
The surprise of the weekend was the 4 x 100 relay team of Mitchell Gladstone, Todd Kreimeyer, Patrick Scott, and Anthony Jamison- they placed sixth overall. "We are really pround of those guys. They did a great job," said Williams.
Rounding out the competitors were Amber Washington, who finished 11th in the 400 meters, Richard Johnson, who placed 10th in the 110 meter hurdles, Kevin Lambkins, who set a personal best en route to a 10th place finish in the triple jump. Finally, the 4 x 400 meter relay team of Jamison, Galvan, Johnson, and Gladstone placed 12th overall.
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Athletes off to Coffeyville, Kansas for Nationals!!!
Angie Sandell - Pole Vault Amber Washington- 400 Meters
James Galvan- 800 Meters Richard Johnson- 110 M Hurdles
Curtis Durocher- Hammer Kevin Lambkins- Triple Jump
4x400 Relay Team
Anthony Jamison
Richard Johnson
Mitchell Gladstone
James Galvan
4x100 Relay Team
Mitchell Gladstone
Todd Kreimeyer
Patrick Scott
Anthony Jamison
Mesa Fast Track News Flash!!!
2007 notables
On April 14, 2007 at the Sun Angel Classic, James Galvin ran the fastest 800 meters in the country. His 149.31 was just .01 off the school record.
At the Mesa Classic on April 13, 2007, the men's 4x100 relay qualified for outdoor nationals with a 41.81 clocking. Richard Johnson also qualified in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 14.77.
On April 7, 2007, Spivey Vasquez ran 54.58, a national qualifying mark in the 400 meter hurdles. This was his season opening hurdle race.
The 1600 meter relay team also qualified for the national championships with a time of 316.85. That team is comprised of Spivey Vasquez, Richard Johnson, James Galvin, and Anthony Jamison.
On March 30, 2007 at an ACCAC track meet, James Galvin ran 150.32 in the 800 meters, which is the second fastest 800 in the country.
In the same meet, Amber Washington ran a 57.9 in the 400. She tells how she got into Track to stay in shape, but now says, “Track is my life. I am totally committed, and it helps build character.” A year ago a stress fracture in her foot necessitated that she sit out part of the season. The injury forced her to set aside her jumping events where she had previously excelled to focus on sprinting. “Everything happens for a reason, and some good can obviously come out of an unfortunate situation,” she says.
Mesa track and field athletes turned in strong performances in both the indoor and outdoor seasons this past year. Coach Steve Jacobs who just completed his 19th year at MCC noted “Track & Field has been one of Mesa’s more successful sports, and we tend to have a solid team every year.”
Nicole Lloyd broke the School outdoor record in the discus with a throw of 151’ 8”, topping Michelle Amete’s old record of 148’ set in 2004. Husband Zack led the country in the indoor shotput event with a toss of 61’ 7”and ranked second in outdoor competition at 180’. Both Lloyds are transferring to the University of Arizona.
Others who did well in their particular events this past season include, for the Women, Gina Peterson in sprints, hurdles and field events; Valerie Dvorak, Diane Pacheco and Rochelle Bush, distance races; and Monica Neri, Shauna Frost and Angie Sandell, field events. For the Men: Rodney Burns, Shannon Waynewood and Michael Hilbe, sprints; Au Nyguen, Ray Fair and Glenn Jackson, distance races; and Curtis Durocher, Logan Carton, Jamie Borrego and Kevin Lawkins, field events.
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MCC Weight Throwers Sign with D-1 Universities
Two of Mesa Community College’s stellar weight throwers will be moving into the NCAA Division I ranks.
Michelle Amete who broke five school records, set a junior college national record in the hammer with a throw of 189 feet, and represented the United States in the 2005 Pan-American Track & Field Games will continue her career at Arizona State. Michelle was an Arizona state champion in the shot put and discus when she attended Queen Creek High School.
The University of Kentucky has recruited Rashaud Scott who has been ranked the #1 college freshman in his events. He broke a 1997 school record in the discus with a throw of 198 feet and won a silver medal for the U.S. under-23 team in the North American championships held last year in the Dominican Republic.
Both athletes came to Mesa so as to develop their skills under veteran track & field mentor Selmer Olson. In just the past three years, a dozen of his T-bird throwers have won 12 national championships. That group includes Sheldon Battle, now at the University of Kansas who ranks second nationally in NCAA competition, and Shaun Best at the University of Arizona.
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