DiazLeal named CCCAA Women's Assistant Coach of the Year

Arlene DiazLeal's path to receiving the 2021 California Community College Athletic Association Women's Cross Country Assistant Coach of the Year mirrors the purpose and mission of community college athletics. Arlene returned to Hartnell College in 2017 as a re-entry student, now with a ten year old son. She competed for two years for the Panthers helping her teams to back to back Coast Conference Championships, while earning one individual title for herself, and consecutive top two team finishes at the Northern California Championship, one as the overall team winner. Having to care for her son and work nearly full-time while making progess toward her degree, Arlene was uable to participate in track & field each spring due to the increase number of competitions and time away. After successfully earning All-State in cross country her final season, Arlene would transfer to Cal State Monterey Bay where she would continue to pursue a degree. During the pandemic, her coursework shifted online and she was afforded more time during her day. This would be a pivotal moment in her life as she was asked to return to her alma mater and help with the Panthers return to practice/play in spring 2021. Last fall, DiazLeal would help guide the Panther women to a third consecutive Northern California women's title and second place CCCAA State Championship finish. Her presence among the women was instrumental in helping them believe the group could compete for top team honors. 

On Tuesday, August 2, DiazLeal received the highest honor an assistant coach can receive by being named the CCCAA Women's Assistant Cross Country Coach of the Year in a ceremony held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arlene will return in fall 2022 to help guide the Panthers for another season toward individual and team excellence. Arlene joins Monica Jo Nicholson (now Gilmore) and Rachel Shimabukuro as another recipient of this honor for the Panthers. The Hartnell College women's cross country team is the three-time defending Norcal Champion and has placed in the top four at the state championship four times since 2014.