All-Decade Men's Track & Field Team Announced
Given the unprecedented changes to competition the past two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided to acknowledge the top performers in men's track & field for the 2010-2019 decade. Selection was made by a criteria that included: 1) state championship performances, 2) Northern California Championship performances, 3) team contribution to the Coast Conference Championship scoring, and 4) overall impact on the team during the athlete's time as a Panther. In all, nineteen men were selected for their outstanding accomplishments in track & field. These nineteen men accounted for eight individual state titles, sixteen All-American honors, and ten Northern California Championship winning performances, and helped the Panthers to six Coast Conference team titles during the ten year span.
THROWS SELECTIONS
Frankie Martinez (2011-2012) was our first hammer thrower to advance to the state championship which he did in 2012 placing eleventh overall. Despite being usually the smallest thrower in the field, Frankie would outperform his counterparts with technique. As a sophomore he placed third at the Northern California Championship in the hammer and also just narrowly missed scoring in the discus and shot put placing tenth in both. His hammer mark of 155'10" is ranked seventh best in school history and his discus (148'11") is eleventh. As a sophomore, he carried the load in the throws for the Panthers at the Coast Conference Championship. Frankie placed second in the hammer, fourth in the discus, and fifth in the shot put. This was an improvement over the two seventh place and one fourth place finishes he had as a freshman. In his first year as a Panther, Frankie qualified to the Northern California Championship in the shot put. In addition to his hammer and discus marks, he finished his Hartnell career with a best of 44'3.5" with the 16 lb shot put. Frankie was also a member of the 2011 Coast Conference Championship team.
Dustin Samms (2015-2016) made an immediate impact as a Panther breaking John Shaw's hammer record that had stood since 1997. Samms qualified twice to the CCCAA State Championship showing tremendous growth over two years going from fouling out of the competition as a freshman oo earning third place All-American honors in his second attempt. As a sophomore, Samms established a new program record in the event throwing 184'9" to become the first Panther to ever throw over 180 feet. He was third in the hammer at the Northern California Championship and also placed seventh in the discus. Dustin had the decade's best discus mark at 153'2" which ranks him seventh all-time in program history. As a freshman, Dustin broke the hammer record with a toss of 174'9". He would place third in his first Norcal Championship and advance to the CCCAA State Championship. A two-time, Coast Conference Champion in the hammer, Dustins's teams won back to back team titles.
SPRINTS & HURDLES SELECTIONS
Michael Grayson (2011) after competing in 2009 took 2010 to focus on football before returning to the track for one of the most successful seasons in the hurdles a Panther had in the decade. In his final season, Michael placed fifth at the CCCAA State Championship narrowly missing All-American honors. He was third at the Northern California Championship clocking 14.82. Michael also helped the men's 4x400 relay team to a second place finish in 3:20.82. He also contributed to the men's regional team score by placing sixth in the Norcal decathlon championship, posting an event top 10 best for the 110 hurdles at 14.80. Michael placed seventh in the Coast Conference 100 meters along with an eighth in the 200 meters. He took home his first Coast Conference 110 hurdle title in a personal best 14.67, the fastest peformance of the decade and fifth best in program history. He ran on the 4x100 relay team which placed second and brought home a point in the javelin throw. Michael was a member of the 2011 Coast Conference Championship team.
Aaron Vaughan (2011 & 2013) enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2013 placing seventh at the CCCAA State Championship. Aaron was the Northern California runner-up in the 110 hurdles at 14.77. He also placed sixth in the 400IH in 55.19. The Coast Conference champion in the 110 hurdles, Aaron also helped the team with a sixth place in the 400IH. He was sixth in the 110 hurdles as a freshman in 2011. He qualified to the Northern California Championship as a freshman in the 110 hurdles but false started abruptly ending his first season. Aaron's personal best in the 110 hurdles of 14.75 is tied for sixth best in school history. His 2011 and 2013 teams won the Coast Conference Championship.
Rhett Gonzalez (2015-2016) became our third sprint hurdler in the decade to make the Northern California Championship. Rhett placed sixth in the Norcal Final at 14.92 and recorded four sub 15 second clockings in the 110 hurdles his sophomore season. He also finished fourth in the 400IH at 54.83 but did not have the newly established state qualifying marks to advance to state. He was fourth in the 110 hurdles at the Coast Conference Championship showing the tremendous depth he faced in the event at even the conference level. Rhett was the conference runner-up in the 400IH which helped the 2016 team to the Coast Conference title. As a freshman, he placed third in the Coast Conference 110 hurdles and second in the 400IH. Rhett qualified to the Northern California Championship in the 110 hurdles where he placed eleventh in the prelims after clocking his first sub 15 second performance at the conference prelims. His 2015 team won the Coast Conference team title. Rhett is tied for sixth best in the 110 hurdles and seventeenth in the 400IH in program history.
De'Antae Williams (2019-2020) only got one full season for the Panthers due to the COVID-19 pandemic but he produced some of the fastest sprint performances and relay performances seen in over 20 years. De'Antae finished fourth in the Northern California Championship 100 meters in 10.87 after clocking a decade's best 10.64 in the trials. He was the Coast Conference runner-up in 10.72 after running 10.66 in the trials. He placed eighth in the 200 meter final at 21.93 with a prelims performance of 21.69. In his freshman year, De'Antae clocked nine sub 11 second performances in the 100 meters, more than all the Hartnell 100 meter sprinters of the decade combined.As a member of the 4x100 relay team, De'Antae earned All-American honors after they ran 41.30 at the CCCAA State Championship. The mark is the second best in program history. He was also a member of the 4x400 relay team that placed seventh in the same championship. The 4x400 relay team time of 3:18.39 is eleventh best all-time. With just three meets during the shortened 2020 season, De'Antae notched one more sub 11 second performance running 10.97. His 10.64 in the 100 meters is ranked fifth and his 21.69 best in the 200 meters is seventh best.
JUMPS & MULTI SELECTIONS
Derrick Toney (2010) finished his Hartnell career in 2010 with his best season. Derrick qualified to the state championship in both the high jump and decathlon. Despite extremely windy conditions, Derrick managed to place ninth overall in the decathlon and tenth in the high jump. He was fourth in the Northern California Decathlon Championship at 5953, narrowly missing joining the 6000 point club. His decathlon score is ranked tenth best in school history. Derrick placed fifth in the regional high jump at 6'6.75" and represented the Panthers in the 110 hurdles as a well. At the Coast Conference Championship Derrick shined placing first in the high jump, fourth in the pole vault, and taking two fifth place finishes in the 110 hurdles and long jump. His 2010 team was the Coast Conference Champions. Derrick's high jump best of the season of 6'8" is the best height recorded during the decade and tied for eighth best in program history.
Will Welch (2010-2011) placed seventh overall in the state decathlon championship becoming the second highest placing Panther in the event for the decade. Will twice scored over 6000 points in the decathlon with his Norcal third place mark of 6108 ranking ninth best in program history. He also placed eighth in the high jump and participated in the long jump and javelin at the Northern California Championship. Will dominated the 2011 Coast Conference Championship winning the high jump, placing fourth in the long jump, triple jump, and javelin and also picked up an eighth place in the discus throw. As a freshman, Will placed eighth in the Norcal decathlon and high jump after scoring in the conference high jump, long jump, and triple jump. Will's high jump best of 6'6.75" which he recorded at the 2011 Ed Adams Invitational is ranked fifteenth all-time. The 2010 and 2011 teams were Coast Conference Champions with his contributions across numerous events.
Austin Decker (2013-2014) is the only Panther to win back to back state championships in an event. Decker achieved the feat in the pole vault winning as both a freshman and sophomore. He won the 2014 title in a school record 16'6.75" and jumped 16'2.5" as a freshman to win the title. At the Northern California Championship, Austin won the pole vault and placed fourth in the decathlon establishing an event record for the pole vault. He won back-to-back Coast Conference pole vault titles while laso placing second in the 110 hurdles and 400IH as a sophomore. His 2014 team not only won the Coast Conference Championship but placed third overall at the regional championship. As a freshman, Austin was third in the Norcal pole vault before his upset win. He also placed tenth in the decathlon. At the conference meet, he helped in the victory with a fourth place finish in the 400IH, seventh in the high jump, and two eighth place finishes in the 400 meters and 110 hurdles. The 2013 Hartnell team was victorious thanks to Austin's first year accomplishments. Austin is ranked first in the pole vault and twelfth in the decathlon in program history.
Chase Pacheco (2015) only competed for the Panthers for one season but accomplished what most attempt to in two years. Chase won the CCCAA State Championship in the decathlon with a score of 6706 making him the second best performer in school history. He won the Northern California decathlon with a score of 6507. He finished sixth in the Norcal high jump. At the Coast Conference Championship, Chase competed in nine events. He won the long jump, placed second in the high jump and 200 meters, helped with the third place 4x400 relay, was fourth in the 110 hurdles and pole vault, and sevent in the 100 meters. Chase qualfiied to compete in the USA Under 20 Championship in the decathlon in Eugene, Oregon where he placed sixth. Chase produced top 20 all-time marks in the 400 (49.41), long jump (23'4.75"), and decathlon 6706). The 2015 team was victorious at the Coast Conference Championship and the placed fifth in the region.
Jack Fling (2018-2019) earned All-American honors in the pole vault as a sophomore placing fourth at the CCCAA State Championship. He won the 2019 Norcal pole vault title with a personal best 15'7". Jack also competed in the javelin picking up seventh place along with participation in the decathlon, high jump, and triple jump in his second year. At the Coast Conference meet, Jack was second in the pole vaut, third in the high jump, and also competed in the long jump, triple jump, and javelin. As a freshman, Jack advanced to the state championship in the pole vault and placed fifth at the Norcal Championship in the event. He won the 2018 Coast Conference pole vault title along with the triple jump and placed fourth in the high jump. The Panthers won the 2018 Coast Conference title and placed fourth in the region. Jack is ranked ninth all-time in the pole vault and fourteenth in the decathlon.
MID-DISTANCE/DISTANCE SELECTIONS
Matt Battaglia (2010-2011) is the only Panther to earn All-American honors in the 800 meters both years. Battaglia placed second as a sophomore in 1:53.08 at the state championship. He was runner-up in the 1500 and fourth in the 800 meters at his sophomore Northern California Championship. He also ran on the 4x400 relay team that placed second. Matt was the 2011 Coast Conference champion in both the 1500 and 800 meters running 1:52.24 in the prelims which is the fourth best mark all-time. His 2011 team won the conference title. As a freshman, Matt placed third in the state final despite extremely windy conditions. He advanced to the state championship with a fourth place finish in the regional 800 meter final and his 4x400 relay team placed fifth. He won the Coast Conference title in the 1500 meters with his first sub 4:00 clocking (3:59.27) and the 800 meters. His 4x400 relay team was fourth. The 2010 team also won the conference team title. Matt is also ranked seventh all-time in the 1500 meters (3:55.28).
Cristian Soratos (2011-2012) enjoyed an amazing sophomore campaign finishing as the CCCAA State runner-up in the 1500 meters. His mark of 3:47.03 is the school record and broke Brian Wilkinson's 1995 record of 3:48.22. Cristian was runner-up in the 1500 and 5000 meters at the Northern California Championship. He won four events at the 2012 Coast Conference Championship establishing meet records in the 800 meters (1:51.68) and 1500 meters (3:49.65). His freshman year, Cristian placed sixth in the 5000 meters and seventh in the 1500 meters at his first regional championship. He was the conference 5000 meter champion and placed second in the 1500 meters. The 2011 team won the Coast Conference title. Cristian is ranked first all-time in the 1500 meters, second in the 800 meters, and third in the 5000 meters (14:46.36).
Michel Ramirez (2013-2014) competed in two state championships and twice placed as the regional runner-up in the 10,000 meters. As a sophomore, Ramirez placed eighth in the 5000 meter and ninth in the 1500 meters at the CCCAA State Championship. He placed second in the 1500, 5000, and 10,000 meters at the regional meet helping the Panthers to a third place trophy. He won the Coast Conference 5000 and 10,000 meters titles and placed third in the 1500 and eighth in the 800 meters. His 2014 team won the Coast Conference title. As a freshman, Ramirez placed seventh in the 10,000 meters and ninth in the 5000 meters at the state meet. He was the Norcal 10k runner-up and third in the 5000 meters. Michel won the Coast Conference 5000 and 10,000 meters and placed third in the 1500 meters. His 2013 team was victorious at the Coast Conference Championship. Michel is ranked is fifth in the 5000 (14:47.50), and fourteenth in the 1500 (3:58.33) and 10,000 (32:12.16).
Diego Leon (2014-2015) won three state track & field titles as a sophomore, a feat only replicated one other time in CCCAA history in the 1500, 5k, and 10k. He was named the 2015 CCCAA Male Athlete of the Year for his outstanding accomplishments. As a sophomore, he also won the Norcal 1500 and 10,000 while placing second in the 5000 meters. He was the Coast Conference champion in three events and placed fourth in the 800 meters tallying 35 points toward the 2015 team title. Diego established a new program record in the 5000 meters (14:26.65). As a freshman, Diego met the qualifications to compete at state but passed due to illness. He placed third in the Norcal 10,000 meters and also attemped to compete in the 1500 and 5000 meters despite his illness. He placed second in the conference 1500, 5000, and picked up a third place in the 10,000 meters. Diego is ranked first in the 5000 meters, fourth in the 1500 meters, and fifth in the 10,000 meters.
Jorge Sanchez (2016-2017) competed in two CCCAA State Championships winning the 5000 meter title and placing fourth in the 10,000 meters a sophomore. He was also eighth in the 10,000 meters as a freshman. Jorge won the Norcal 5000 and 10,000 meter titles his second year and eighth in the 1500 meters. Jorge's efforts pushed the team to a historic second place team trophy in Northern California. He won the Coast Conference 5000 meter title while also placing second in the 10k and sixth in the 1500 meters. As a freshman, Jorge was third in both the 5k and 10k at the regional championship. He took first in the confernce 10,000 meters and a third in the 5000 and sixth in the 1500 meters. His 2016 and 2017 teams were Coast Conference Champions. Jorge is ranked fourth all-time in the 5000 meters (14:47.37) and seventh in the 10,000 meters (31:32.29).
Eduardo Orozco (2016-2017) became the first Hartnell Panther to win the 1500 meter state title since 1995. Orozco placed first in a personal best 3:52.26 and coupled that with an eighth place in the 800 meters. This came one year after not advancing beyond the Norcal Trials. At his sophomore regional meet, Eduardo won the 1500 meter title in 3:56.28 and placed second in the 800 meters (1:55.35), the highest place finish in the 800 meters of the decade. He won the Coast Conference 1500 meters and placed third in the 800 meters and guided the 4x400 relay to a fourth place finish. As a freshman, Orozco hit qualfying marks for the 800, 1500, and 5000 meters for the Norcal Championship meet. He was fifth in the conference 800 meters and eighth in the 1500 meters. His team won the 2016 Coast Conference title. Eduardo is ranked third all-time in the 1500 and fifth for the 800 meters (1:52.99).
Ricky Esqueda (2018) only had one year to build his all-decade resume. Ricky placed fifth at his only CCCAA State Championship in the 10,000 meters narrowly missing All-American honors. He won the Northern California title in the 10,000 meters and placed second in the 5000 meters and fourth in the 1500 meters. Ricky won the Coast Conference title in the 5000 meters, placed second in the 10,000, third in the 1500 meters, and seventh in the 800 meters. His team won the 2018 Coast Conference title and would place fourth in the region. Ricky is ranked ninth all-time for 10,000 meters (31:42.78).
Jesus Avalos (2019) saw his career cut in half due to the COVID-19 pandemic but in his first track season earned All-American honors in the 10,000 meters. Jesus placed fourth in the CCCAA State Championship running 31:52.72. He won the Norcal 10,000 meter title to advance to the state championship. He was also sixth in the 5000 meter final. At his only Coast Conference Championship, Jesus won the 10,000 meters and placed second in the 5000 meters. He also placed fourth in the 1500 meters. Jesus is ranked eleventh all-time in the 10,000 meters. Jesus was only able to run three meets during his sophomore season before the pandemic suspended and eventually cancelled all CCCAA track & field competition.