WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD: HORNETS OPEN SEASON WITH A WIN
The Lady Hornets opened up their 2015 Track and Field season last Friday at home on Sherbeck Field.
It was perfect weather for all athletes involved and a great day to compete with a double dual meet competition against Orange Coast College and Santiago Canyon College. The ladies claimed their first win against the Hawks with a score of 77-46 and fell to the Pirates 61-80 points.
"We have been training for a long time and I looked forward to showing off our of season efforts," said Head Women's Coach Gina Bevec, entering her 24th season for the Hornets.
This is how the day unraveled as there were numerous first place marks and the ladies showing strong promises. Sophomore, Jasmine Williams (transfer from LBCC) said, "It was great to compete in different events, I had fun today." She won the 200M in 27.67, Javelin 95'5" (29.08 meters), Long Jump 16' 2 ½" (4.94m), was second in the Shot Put 29' 2 ¾" (8.91m), and was part of the 400M and 1600M relays. Her javelin was almost a ten foot improvement from last years mark and long jump was within a few inches of her personal best. Jasmine was joined by Jenny Cadman (SO), Samantha Duong (FR), and Jasmine Mendoza (FR) who ran their first 400M relay race together and placed second with an opening time of 52.90 FAT (Fully Automatic Timing) against OCC's 51.16 time. Samantha Duong had the best 400M dash time of the day running 1:02.15 and a very good early season mark. Fanny Giron (FR) (All OEC Second Team Cross Country finalist) was a sliver behind her running 1:03.46 for the third place time of the day. The 1600M relay was made up from Jenny Cadman, Samantha Duong, Jasmine Mendoza, and Jasmine Williams posting a season best of 4:24.43 a click behind OCC's mark of 4:24.16. This race is comprised of each lady running with a baton in her hand for one 400M (one lap) to make up the mile relay. Every second and most importantly the baton exchanges are huge components in this event. It was a close race as all of the athletes were everywhere cheering their teams on. "That is what is exciting to see for me, the athletes yelling for their teammates and showing support as they compete. We are a team that cares for one another," replies Coach Bevec.
The middle distance athletes were another huge help to the teams success. Keep your eye on freshman, Andrea Mendez (FR and participant in Cross Country - 2014 season) who won the 1500M – 5:18.08 with teammate Breanna Arroyo (FR and ran Cross Country – 2014) who picked up the third place with a time of 5:45.87. Breanna came back later and ran 12:45.21 in the 3000M (seven and a half laps) for the third best time of the day. Andrea Mendez posted the second best 800M (two laps) time of the day with 2:32.65. Fanny Giron picked up the third place running the workout in 2:39.19.
The ladies came out victorious as everyone had a job to do and ended up with mixed efforts as they made their first college competition. The hammer was a sweep for the Hornets. The hammer ball weighs 4K and is attached to a wire with a handle. They swing this implement around in a circular motion around their body and release up in the air to the open grass sector area. Amber Hernandez (FR) threw 84' 9" (25.84m) and claimed the first champion for the Hornets on this day. Marrisa Myers (FR) was behind her 76' 9" (23.39m), and Salena Torres (FR) taking third throwing 75' 3" (22.93m). That season high travelled in to the discus with Marrisa Mayers taking the lead with a toss of 98' 2" (29.92m) followed by Salena Torres for second place 95' 2" (29.02m). The discus is an implement weighing 1K and looks almost like a small plate. The Shot Put event where the ladies throw a 4K ball implement at chalk lines found Marrisa Myers the champion in this event with an effort of 30' 2" (9.19m), Jasmine Williams for second place, and Amber Hernandez taking third place with 26' 7 ¾" (8.12m). The Javelin event is a spear looking implement weighing 600 grams and is thrown out in to an open grass sector area. Jasmine took the lead and showed the way for Marrisa Myers to take the third slot with a heave of 76' 11" (23.45m). The hammer and javelin events are new to throwers at this level because high school does not hold these events. First time out for the season the throwers show these events will be second hand like the events they already know with the shot put and discus. All in all, great performances and let the 2015 season begin.
Up next for the Hornets: Bye – February 14, 2015 and away February 20, 2015 to OCC for the second OEC meet of the season Field Events start at noon and Track Events 2:00 pm.