(Modesto, CA) For the second year in a row, the Mt. San Antonio College Men's Track and Field team claimed the state title at the 3C2A State Track and Field Championships, which took place at Modesto Junior College on Friday and Saturday, May 19-20. Behind eight first-place, six second-place, and three third-place finishes, the Mounties compiled 175.5 team points, while San Diego Mesa College took second with 110 points and Riverside City College came in third with 98.

"I'm extremely proud of the men's and women's team for capturing the 2023 State track and field championships," said men's track and field head coach Giovanni Lanaro.  "Both the men and the women scored the second highest score of all time."

First-place performances for Mt. SAC came from Jacob Williams (100 meters), Kerry Smith Jr (200 meters), Johnathon Zavala (10,000 meters), Marcus Monroe Jr (high jump), Ethan Amata (pole vault), Namir Hemphill (triple jump), the 4x100 relay team (Hemphill, Smith, Jake Jensen, Williams), and the 4x400 relay team (Thomas Scrofano, Hemphill, Nick Felix, Smith).

Jensen (200 meters), Zavala (5000 meters), Jered Beasley (pole vault), Monroe (long jump), Terrence Sweetman (triple jump), and Matthew Mannino (javelin) finished second in their events for the Mounties.

Third-place finishes for Mt. SAC included Jensen (100 meters), Felix (400 meters), and Christian Baker (110 hurdles).

Coach Lanaro added, "Both teams worked extremely hard all season long. They sacrificed so much and were able to endure everything we asked them to do.  Both of these teams will definitely go down as one of the most dominant teams in the state of California."

In addition to taking first in the 10,000 meters and second in the 5000 meters, Zavala was named the men's track MVP of the meet.

"With both teams combined, we had 10 individual state champions, and two of our relays won the state championship," Lanaro said.  "It is a true testament to the hard work and dedication these athletes were able to put in all season long. We are extremely proud of them and look forward to next season."

The claiming of another state title concludes the Mounties' 2023 season. Follow the team in 2024 as it defends its state title while striving for another.