The College of the Sequoias men’s track and field team won their first ever CCCAA State Championship in program history on Saturday, May 20, at American River College in Sacramento.
The Sequoias women’s team also had a great showing as well, placing second in the state.
Both squads got off to a quick start with victories on Friday.
Jordyn Zorn captured the state title in the Women’s 10,000 meter race at a personal best 36:33, with teammate Jewel Jasso finishing 6th.
In the men’s competition, Bryce Huggins captured first place in the long jump, with teammate Isahia Hutchins placing third.
On Saturday, Meleni Rodney defended her 2015 women’s state title in the 400 meter dash, beating teammate Tarika Moses. Rodney’s time of 53.26 breaks the school record previously held by 2016 Olympian Deajah Stevens.
Quincy Hall led the Giants on Saturday night, pulling off a double in the flat 400 meter dash (46.72) and the 400 meter hurdles (50.57).
Hall also ran on the winning 4 x 400 meter relay team in the meet concluding event. COS raced around the track in 3:09.56.
Hall ended the night being named male track athlete of the meet post-race.
The Sequoias men’s team totaled 127 points to finish well ahead of runner-up Mt. San Antonio at 94 points.
The Giants previous best finish was second pace in 2015, coming up one point short behind Mt. San Antonio.
This is the 10th state title won by a Giants’ athletic program overall, and the first since the 1994 softball team.
“It was unbelievable how all those kids performed,” COS head coach Curtis Allen said. “We’ve been knocking on the door for awhile, but just hadn’t kicked it in. Somehow, our kids did what they had to do. They went out and worked hard and performed. You’ve got to give them praise because that’s what they deserve.”