(Walnut, CA) With a record-breaking 2018 season behind them, the Mt. SAC Men's Track & Field Team is ready to defend their CCCAA State Championship.
The Mounties will open the 2019 season at the Riverside City College 5-Way, on Friday (2/8), that will match them against Cerritos, San Diego Mesa, Glendale and host Riverside City.
Last season, the Mt. SAC Men won their third state title in the last four years and 12th overall.
Last years' state title was extra special as the Mt. SAC Women's Track & Field Team also took the state championship, a feat also accomplished by the program in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Only two other colleges have ever done the same. Riverside City in 1994 and Long Beach City in 1995.
"Coming off of another state cross country championship, the long and middle distances will be a force to contend with," replied Men's Head Coach Ron Kamaka.
The steeplechase remains a strength in the distances, but the middle-distances may prove to be the strongest.
Returning sophomores include defending 5,000M and 10,000M state champion Salvador Capetillo, Colby Penn (Steeplechase), Jose Melchor, Luis Huerta and Chris Weiland.
"Add in an additional group of strong sophomores, quality transfers and a fantastic freshman class, the men will look to challenge for a state trophy this season," Kamaka added.
Freshman transfers Leroy Williams and Aaron Mahlow will lead a talented group of freshmen that also includes Phillip Ulloa, Robert Taft and Jalen Robledo.
The sprint team is young and untested, but fall and winter indicators provide an optimistic and exciting future.
Like the women, the short and long hurdle events will be a force under 2018 South Coast Conference Assistant Coach of the Year Jenna Bird.
"In the field events, the horizontal and high jump, we will have a talented freshman class of jumpers that had great high school careers," Kamaka said.
Traveon Phillips and Shallamar Poole have jumped over 6'5" and 6'6", with Phillips also reaching the 23 foot mark in the long jump. Poole is currently a member of the Mounties Men's Basketball Team.
The long and strong pole vault tradition will continue for the Mounties and will be led by a very strong freshmen class that includes Calvin Oury, Nathaniel Carranza and Ryan Atkinson.
In the throwing events, sophomore thrower Hector Sanchez, 2018 Javelin state runner-up and Justin Spivey (Javelin) bring state championship experience and are among the states' top returners.
A strong group of freshmen throwers and led by new throws coach, Trevor Robinson (formerly at College of the Sequoas) will make a valued impact for the Mounties.
In the multi's, the men will be led by Phillips and Andrew Aguilar, two strong 10-event performers with SoCal and state potential.
Also highlighting the season will be the 61st Annual Mt. SAC Relays which will be held on April 18th through the 20th, at Murdock Stadium on the campus of El Camino College in Torrance (CA).
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.