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Sims and Deniz Propel Panthers to Runner-Up Trophy

The Hartnell men join the women with their own second place team finish at the Northern California Championship.
The Hartnell men join the women with their own second place team finish at the Northern California Championship.
Results
May 16, 2023

In 2022, the Hartnell men's track & field team saw a top three finish slowly slip away over the final event of the meet to finish seventh. Fast forward a year and heading into the final event, the Panthers has successfully logged enough points to be the surprise runner-up team behind winner Modesto Junior College. Lead by two Northern California Champions in sophomores Esteban Deniz and Zachary Sims, the Panthers logged eleven top 8 podium finishes to bring the second place trophy back to Salinas for the first time since 2017. 

Zachary Sims faced off against Norcal #1 Brandon Smith of Butte College but managed the upset with a third round throw of 58.61m/192-3 that would hold off Smith's best throw of 57.71m for the overall title. Sims becomes just the second Northern California champion for Hartnell joining Jeff Garcia's title in 1975. The Hollister grad will now head to his first 3C2A State Championship with the third best mark in the state.

Esteban Deniz lead a top 3 sweep in the 1500 meters with is win. Deniz lead from start to finish and crossed the line in a personal best 3:53.36. He joins his brother Eduardo Orozco who also won the 1500 meter title in 2017. Following Deniz was freshman Moises Benito in second in 3:54.98. Third went to Ricky Diaz III in 3:57.48. Sophomore Josh Riley picked up a sixth place finish in 4:05.63. 

Deniz would return in the 5000 meters to place fourth (15:10.68). Benito was fifth (15:12.91) and dipped under the State "A" mark to secure a sport in the state championship in the event. Jose Velazquez (15:57.24) was tenth, Jesse Blanco (16:04.57) was eleventh, Ricky Diaz III (16:11.71) was thirteenth, Mario Avila (16:28.18) was fifteenth, and Josh Riley (16:36.50) was nineteenth.

Daniel Pantoja moved up from fourth in 2022 in the 3k steeplechase to runner-up. Despite the heat, Pantoja ran 10:03.94 with teammate Kaimana Cantere seventh in 10:56.35.  Maximo Puga placed eighth to help the team (11:02.67). Matthew Santos was ninth (11:06.59) and Arturo Melgoza (11:33.58) thirteenth. 

Freshman Ethan Lavina finished fifth in the triple jump (13.79m/45-3) and will have to wait for any scratches from either region to compete in his first state championship. Zachary Sims was tenth in the long jump (6.20m) with Elijah Washington (6.07m) finishing eleventh. 

Orlando Dorado was the lead in the throws as he has all season with his highest placing coming in the hammer throw with a podium seventh place finish. His mark was 43.80m/143-8. Sophomore Hugo Chayres finished tenth in the hammer (37.67m). Ramon Duran placed tenth in the javelin (44.54m/146-1). 

Several Panthers will have to await the scratch deadline to see if they will have the opportunity to compete at this year's 3C2A State Track & Field Championship in Modesto on Friday-Saturday, May 19-20.