Saldana Picks Up State "A" Mark at Chabot

Each spring the SFSU Distance Carnival gives the Panther distance core the opportunity to compete against colleges/universities from all levels with an opportunity to improve season best marks and attain state qualifying marks. This year's version also provided the Panther team an opportunity to compete at Chabot College for a conference preview. The 2018 Coast Conference Championship will be held at Chabot College on April 25 and April 28.

Sophomore Jonathan Saldana continued his newfound momentum from his previous Sequoias Relays meet with two outstanding races. He started his meet off with his second best performance in the 3000 meter steeplecase running 9:46.62. He bested Northern California top ranked Dalton Douglas-Hiley who leads the region with a mark of 9:36.72 but only recorded a time of 9:53.95 here. Saldana returned to the track hours later and covered the 5000 meter distance in a new lifetime personal best 15:31.84. He followed his teammate Ricky Esqueda most of the race as Esqueda stopped the clock at 15:19.37 which now ranks him third in the region. In a separate heat, freshman Nick Merillana also recorded a lifetime best with his 15:37.62. Christian Aldape dipped under the regional qualifying mark with his season best 16:00.90. Sophomore Adam Alnazer picked up a regional qualifying mark in the 800 meters with his second best mark in the 800 meters (1:57.67) and doubled back with a season best 1500 meters (4:07.83).  In other events, freshman Jordan Finister moved to sixth in the region with a lifetime best 13.21 meters. Fellow frosh Jack Fling recorded two season bests with one in the triple jump (13.06m) and the other pole vault (4.35m). Clemente Villareal improved in the long jump at 6.49 meters with Raymundo Gonzales in the hammer at 38.83 meters. Alfredo Mejia, Jr. was the top placing Panther in the rarely run 2 mile run (9:53.06). The men's 4x400 relay team of Fernando Garcia, Brendan Lepe, Andrew Martinez, and Isaiah Givens lowered their season best to 3:33.38.

The Panthers will host their annual Ed Adams Invitational on Friday-Saturday, April 13-14th.