Panther Women Improve at Linthicum

The Jim Linthicum Invitational hosted by DeAnza College provided the first big test for the 2020 Hartnell track & field teams. With over ten Northern California community colleges in attendance, the day provided numerous season bests, a couple of state qualfiying marks, and plenty of insight into the what the Panthers will need to do this season to contend for the Coast Conference team championship and a top three trophy at the Northern CA Final in May. 

Sophomore Daniela Salazar continued to impress with her early season fitness. She was a double winner on Saturday placing first in the 1500 meters and 5000 meters. In the 1500 meters, Salazar ran 4:54.32 to take over the CA community college lead by two seconds over the fall's state cross country champion Sophia Cortina of Moorpark College. The time pushed Salazar to eleventh fastest all-time over the metric mile. It was a lifetime best and nearly 13 seconds faster than she ran on the same weekend a year prior. Salazar took the top spot by 9 seconds over Katrina Kohlmeyer of Diablo Valley College. Her second race of the day proved to be even better as she locked into a 12.5 lap battle with Julia Gonzalez of Diablo Valley College. In the fall, the three faced off numerous times with Salazar only crossing first once. After Saturday, Salazar holds a 2-0 advantage over the Norcal cross country champion. The pair ran together nearly the whole race before Salazar pulled away over the final 400 meters to a lifetime best 18:32.58. Gonzalez crossed six seconds later. The 5k mark moves Salazar to tenth best in program history and just 4 seconds off the state lead of Cortina. Freshman Valeria Gomez-Lozano had the third best 1500 meter time of the day in 5:05.54 but surprised by taking third in the 5000 meters in a State auto qualfiying 18:50.81. That mark punches her ticket to May's state championship. Isabelle Torres was fifth in the 5000 meters but grabbed a State B mark with 18:59.23. Gerilynn Omictin shaved nearly half a second off her 100 meters in a week dropping to 13.00 to earn a regional provisional mark. Omictin ran second leg on the 4x100 relay which saw the foursome that included Andrea Villalobos, Gabriella Partible, and Shaelynne Smith run 51.75 in their debut. Alyssa Pena hit a provisional and lifetime best in the hammer throw at 37.82 meters. Joanna Macias (20:13.72) and Mariah Changco (20:35.38) met the 20:40 qualifying mark at 5000 meters. Stephanie Politron had a lifetime best in the hammer throw at 33.70 meters. She also debuted in the discus at 30.84 meters. Andrea Villalobos had a lifetime personal bes tin the 200 meters in this early season competition at 28.03. 

The Panthers will compete next at the Chico Wildcat Cup hosted by Cuesta College on Friday, March 6. The meet will be comprised of programs that are lead by coaches who graduted from Chico State and competed for the Wildcats.