Vargas Breaks Hartnell 10k Record at Chabot Opener

Freshman Julian Vargas competed in just his second meet for Hartnell College and is already a school record holder. Competing in his first 10,000 meter run, Vargas faced Norcal 3k steeplechase champion and cross country All-American Antoine Moret of De Anza College but was easily able to secure the victory by 19 seconds lowered the school record to 30:36.60. The mark bettered Esteban Deniz's record set last year in the same meet by nearly two seconds. Vargas easily exceed the State "A" mark for the event and takes over the early state lead in the 25 lap race. 

Sophomore Andy Ruiz had his second season cut short to a shoulder injury and found his way to Western Oregon University in the fall but quickly realized he had unfinished business back at Hartnell College. He returned to Salinas in the fall and secured a medical redshirt for the 2023 season allowing him to compete one final spring for the Panthers. On Saturday, Ruiz tossed the hammer to 48.39m, a new lifetime best and good for eighth all-time. The mark met the State "A" mark and is #3 in the state currenlty. Ruiz also lead the Panthers in the discus with a throw of 36.84m. 

Freshman Eduardo Morfin also found his way into program history becoming the nineteenth fastest performer in the 100 meters at 10.90. Morfin might have found himself on the 200m list had a timing system error not recorded his time. Morfin sits in fifth in the Northern California in the 100 meters as the season heads into March. 

Sophomore Moises Benito lead much of his 1500 meter heat and recorded a season best 4:04.04. Benito is the top returning 1500 meter performer in Northern California. Jose Cota (2:03.66) and Jacob Dizon (2:03.72) debuted nicely in the 800 meters. Kaimana Cantere had the next fastest 1500 meters to Benito with 4:13.02. Marco Barrera ran a lifetime best in the 400mIH (59.83) to eclipse the 60 second barrier for the first time. The men's 4x400 relay team of Morfin, Liam Pattison, Jose Cota, and Mauro Medina flirted with sub 3:30 with a final time of 3:30.91 to place fourth overall. Ethan Lavina achieved the State "B" mark in the high jump with a clearance of 1.80m. Javin Niar cleared 3.95m in the pole vault in his season debut. Christopher Ruiz lead in the triple jump with a lifetime best 11.51m. Remse Pamintuan achieved a new personal best in the shot put at 10.99m. 

If weather allows, the Panthers will compete next at the Reid/Reynon Relays at American River College on Friday, March 1.