Panther Men Continue to Improve at MPC Open

Sophomores Andrew Martinez and Jorge Sanchez set the pace in the 3000 meter run.
Sophomores Andrew Martinez and Jorge Sanchez set the pace in the 3000 meter run.
Photos Results
February 19, 2017
The weather was more cooperative than was forecasted for Saturday's MPC Open in Monterey and the Panthers took full advantage. In a meet featuring host MPC and the Panthers, it was also attended by San Jose City College, Diablo Valley College, DeAnza College, and Chabot College.

Panther men won the 800, 1500, and 5000 meter runs lead by Edgar Bonilla (2:01.96) in the 800, Eduardo Orozco (4:21.91) in the 1500, and Jorge Sanchez (15:47.85) in the 5000 meters. Orozco was also second in the 800 meters (2:03.50) and Sanchez second in the 3000 meters (9:02.82). Andrew Martinez was second in the 5000 (15:50.85) and third in 3000 (9:06.50). Bonilla took third in the 3000 (9:07.53). Freshmen Christian Aldape (16:14.80) and Williams Ordaz (16:17.90) picked up regional provisional quaifying marks in the 5000 meters. Sophomore Jordan Rodriguez lead the Panthers in the sprints with season best 11.12 and 22.96 in the 100 and 200 meters. Freshman Joziah Garcia debuted nicely in the 400 meters (51.52).

Freshman Haley Romero produced one of the finest 100 meter hurdles in Lady Panthers history with her 15.83 performance to placed second overall. Bailee Rusconi lowered her season best in the 100 meters to a regional qualifying 13.00. Fellow frosh Sherise Robinson also qualified with her half lap debut of 26.20 in the 200 meters. Robinson was also victorious in the 400 meters (60.76). The 4x100 relay team of Robinson, Rusconi, Romero, and Leilani Russell lowered their season best in winning to 50.72. Leslie Oseguera lead a top three sweep in the 800 meters with her 2:35.14. Olivia Jimenez dipped under the regional qualifying mark in winning at 5:13.97 in her debut at the distance. Beatriz Duarte took the win in the 3000 meters (11:41.99) and placed second in the 5000 meters (20:02.86). Freshman Jocelyn Cervantes joined Duarte as a qualifier in the event placing third in 20:18.61.

The Panthers will head north to the DeAnza Open on Saturday, February 25th. DeAnza College will play host to this year's Northern California Championship.