COS Win First Ever Track and Field State Championship

Quincy Hall's big day helped deliver College of the Sequoias' first men's state track and field championship.

The freshman from Raytown, Mo., became the first man in the history of the meet to win the 400-meters, 400 hurdles and 1,600 relay, producing three of his team's seven individual titles as the Giants topped defending champion Mt. San Antonio during the California Community College Athletic Association's finals on Friday and Saturday at American River College in Sacramento.

Hall had a hand in 30 of the Giants' 127 points. Mt. San Antonio finished with 94 points, followed by Riverside with 64.

Sequoias' previous best placing was second in 2015, when it finished one point behind Mt. San Antonio. It's the 10th state title won by a Giants' athletic program overall, and the first since softball in 1994.

"It was unbelievable how all those kids performed," Sequoias coach Curtis Allen said. "We'e 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." 

Hall opened his day by edging Giants teammate Isahia Hutchins at the finish line in the 400. Hall clocked 46.72 seconds while Hutchins, a freshman, was second in 46.97. Hall's best time in the 400, a 45.12 set in April, is the 17th fastest in the world this season.

Hall moved on to dust the field in the 400 hurdles, winning in 50.57, more than a second ahead of second-place Justin Alexander of El Camino (51.60).

And Hall helped put the finishing touches on the Giants' title run by running the second leg of the meet-closing 1,600 relay, joining Ryan Hall, Tyler Gonzalez and Hutchins on a first-place effort in 3:09.56.

"It was hard, but I was ready," said Hall, who was named the men's track athlete of the meet. "I was conditioned for it. We practice hard."

Also winning individual titles for Sequoias' men were Bryce Huggins, Kelly Brown, Ryan Hall and the 400 relay team.

Huggins, a sophomore, won the state long jump title for the second straight year with a mark of 25 feet, 9.5 inches. Hutchins, a freshman, was third in 24-3.75, while Huggins also placed eighth in the triple jump in 47-2.25.

Brown led a dominant Giants' performance in the 100, winning in 10.43. Hall was second in 10.45 and Darius Smith was fifth in 10.74. All three are freshmen, and their combined 22 points in the 100 sent Sequoias past Mt. San Antonio and into the lead for good at 75-65 in the team standings.

The Giants were even more dominant in the 200, with Ryan Hall (20.96), Hutchins (20.99) and Brown (21.28) placing 1-2-3.

Sequoias' 400 relay team of Brown, Hutchins, Smith and Ryan Hall won in 39.45.

Hutchins helped produce 34 points for the Giants.

"To me, he was the guy," Allen said. "We couldn't have done it without him."

Also contributing points to the Giants' title run were sophomore Armon Hunter, who was second in the discus (164-02); sophomore Shaquille Singuineau, who was third in the shot put (54-0); and sophomore Adam Gonzalez, who was seventh in the 1,500 (4:02.39).

Freshman Andrew Wood was a non-scoring 10th in the 3,000 steeplechase (10:01.93).

For the women, Meleni Rodney, Jordyn Zorn and Alyssa Block all placed top-three in two individual events as Sequoias finished as the state runner-up with 88 points. Cerritos won the women's title with 149.5 points.

Rodney, a sophomore, defended her state title in the 400, edging teammate Tarika Moses for first in 53.26 while breaking the school record previously held by Olympian Deajah Stevens. Moses, a freshman, was second in 53.53.

"I really wanted to win it since it's my last year at COS," Rodney said. "I'm really happy all the hard work and dedication paid off."

Rodney (23.65) and Moses (24.22) also finished second and third, respectively, in the 200.

Zorn, a sophomore, won the 10,000 in 36:33.68, while freshman Jewel Jasso was sixth in 39:08.28.

Block captured the 1,500 in 4:36.72 and Elizabeth Sartuche was fifth in 4:49.57. Both are freshmen.

"It went just how me and (distance) coach (Dave Bronzan) planned it," Block said. "He said get out and hold it from a pace we've been practicing. That's what we've been working for all season. To have all your hard work fall into place is the best feeling ever."

The Giants other title was won by the 1,600 relay team of Cheilin Castillo Zapata, Daniela Mendez, Moses and Rodney in a school-record 3:42.75.

Also scoring points for Sequoias' women were Zorn (17:41.16) and Block (17:42.13), who finished second and third in the 5,000, and sophomore Annette Acosta, who was fourth in the 800 in 2:16.74.

Freshman Marrisha Jacobs and sophomore Idalis Rubalcava just missed scoring in the high jump, tying for ninth place at 5-1.

"I just want to thank my administration, my coaching staff and my kids," Allen said. "They worked their tails off."

Note: This is COS' first state championship since the 94' Softball team and the tenth overall state title in school history.