SWC women track and field exceeded its lofty expectations at the PCAC Finals. The women led the way, winning four events and the men added another two.
Head coach and former Olympic medalist Tonie Campbell said the team set the tone at prelims.
“We worked all year long to be the best we can be,” Campbell said. “I’m looking forward to putting my girls on the line and see what they can do.”
Sophomore Tajanique Bell broke two records and won three gold, one silver and one bronze medal.She became the first woman at SWC to run a sub-12 seconds 100-meter dash with a time of 11.99s. She placed first in the 110-meter hurdles (14.02s), and the 400-meter hurdles (1:02:01s).
Sophomore Lachelle Autry also put on a great show, getting first place in the high jump (1.45m), the triple jump (11.40m) and in shot put (10.20m). Autry also got second in the Long Jump (5.57m).
The performances by the women came as no surprise to Campbell, who described the team as a “powerhouse.”
Sophomore Faith Stevens returned to competition two weeks after spraining her ankle at the Arine Robertson meet.
“She gave a yeoman’s effort and get out there and give it her all for the team,” Campbell said.
Campbell praised Stevens’ toughness after she finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles.
“She did that for the team, and that’s the type of athlete we had,” Campbell said. “That was a gallant, painful effort for her.”
The men also had a favorable outcome in the 100-meter dash with the Jaguars sweeping the top four places.
Freshman Cullin Paisley placed first beating his teammate Marvin James, by three-hundredths of a second, and Ezekiel Cruz was third, barely beating Diego Sanchez. Paisley, Brown, Sanchez, and James also formed the winning men’s 400-meter relay team.
Brown also came in second place in the 400-meter dash and Paisley placed second in the 200-meter dash.
Campbell said the future is bright for the men’s team.
“We have some really good young talent that I am looking forward to working with another year,” Campbell said.
Though the Jaguars did well in their individual events, SWC’s small roster kept them from climbing the team standings.
“Because we don’t have the numbers, we have to rely on the quality of our team,” said Campbell. “I think our quality is high and our quantity is low.”
Campbell emphasized SWC takes a hit in a number of events by not having individuals to compete for any of the throwing or distance running events.
While the meet generally went smoothly, there was a bit of controversy in the women’s 400-meter relay race.
San Diego Mesa College was in the third lane and SWC was in the fourth lane. When Mesa passed the baton on the third leg of the race, the incoming runner slowed down and stepped to the right into the fourth lane in front of Bell. Bell abruptly stopped and went around Mesa’s athlete, impeding her progress.
“Tajanique made a herculean effort to get back up to speed and to catch Mesa and nearly caught them, but we came in second,” Campbell said.
Campbell filed a petition, but, it was unsuccessful because there was no official video evidence and the official had not seen the incident.
“I wasn’t going to be mad about it,” Bell said. “We still have another chance to run the four by one again.”
Campbell is confident in his team’s ability to compete at the state meet.
“I think they have a chance of making it,” Campbell said. “The quality of our team will make itself known.”
