Cerritos College
Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

Cerritos College • Norwalk, Calif.

Talon Marks

On to state championships

Triple jumper Ricky Carrigan Jr.
Christopher Macias
Freshman Ricky Carrigan Jr. practicing his takeoff for the triple jump. He secured his spot in the State Championships after placing fifth in the triple jump at 14.37 meters during the Southern California Championships Saturday, May 11.

The track and field team had a solid start at the SoCal prelims and had athletes finishing in the top six on Saturday, May 4.

Men’s and women’s track and field distance coach, Daniel Ozan, believed the teams performed just as expected at the Southern California Championships and praised athletes who qualified for the State Championships.

“This past weekend went pretty well,” Ozan said.

“Athletes qualified for the finals this past week. And a few 10k athletes made (the) State (Championships). Most of the athletes who I thought would make the finals, made the finals.”

The men and women’s track team performed at the Southern California Prelims in Antelope Valley College on Saturday, May 4 and saw eight runners finish in the top six for the men’s team.

The teams then performed in the Southern California Championships last Saturday resulting in a first place finish for the women’s team. The men’s side came in fourth.

Freshman George Robinson, who primarily runs the 400-meter, the 800-meter, and the relay believed the team really excelled at its relays and is content with the team’s overall standing.

“(The team) didn’t do that well in the 800 (meter) but we were fighting the wind, it was really windy,” he said. “On the four-by-four we did much better. We came in second in our heat and sixth overall so we’ll move on from here.”

Robinson added, “I’m just looking forward to qualifying for the four-by-four to go to state.”

Freshman Alexus Dalton earned a distance of 6.04 meters in the long jump for the women’s team, which is the second best in school history.

Sophomore Nkechi Odili-Obi tied up with Dalton in the high jump for first place with a height of 1.58 meters.

Despite the performance Odili-Obi had at the meet, she still believes there is room for improvement and specifically notes the mental aspect of the sport.

“I need stop over thinking,” she said. “I tend to over think and ask too many questions instead of trusting my instincts and the training that I have received.”

She added, “I’m looking to maintain my times and do better. I need to stay in focus and relax. I’m looking forward to it.”

The teams will participate in the State Championships held at the College of San Mateo Friday and Saturday.

“We just have to keep practicing,” said Robinson. “Improvement starts at practice.”

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About the Contributors
Denny Cristales, Editor-in-Chief
Fall 2014

The Big Cheese! I am the Editor-in-Chief Denny Cristales. Just your average, mild-mannered pupusa lover who covers news. I’m not one of those jerks who would ramble on and on about what they do - such as being a former Sports and News Editor, in addition to earning third place at the CCMAs for my sports page design - no, I won’t do that (My staff also conquered the LA Times in local breaking news coverage).  What I will do is tell you to look at talonmarks.com and admire the work we do.

Also, talk to me on Twitter: @Den_Crist , or email me: . I embrace the criticism (Also, I get lonely).

Alan Leyva, Staff Writer
Fall 2014 I am Alan Leyva, I'm pretty much a social junkie. I use my talkative social skills to get people comfortable in interviews. Strictly journalism is fun but I pretty much just want to be mainly in Public Relations as I choose my emphasis at a Cal state level. I live by Hollywood pretty much the entertainment capital of the world so why not be a publicist.
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On to state championships