Panther Men Fall to De Anza in "Duel"

The Panthers faced the De Anza College Mountain Lions for the sixth time in a dual meet format but were unable to record their first team victory. This year's meet was held at Salinas High School on a rainy and windy Saturday for the first time ever due to the renovation of the Hartnell Track Complex. The Mountain Lions tallied 85 points to the Panthers 58. In consolation, the Panthers were able to win six events lead by sophomore Ethan Lavina in the long and triple jumps and freshman Eduardo Morfin in his sprint debut.

Lavina, who prepped at Salinas High School, enjoyed ahomecoming by breaking the long jump meet record with a jump of 6.75m. He also reached the State "A" in the triple jump with a winning mark of 14.10m. Both were lifetime bests for the sophomore who is one of the top returning triple jumpers in the state. Morfin, a Rancho San Juan High School graduate, won both the 100 and 200 meters in 11.11 and 22.85. Sophomore Moises Benito won the 1500m to start his final season as a Panther in 4:07.05. Freshman Julian Vargas debuted in a Hartnell uniform winning the 3000m in 8:52.22. 

The Panthers will compete next at the Chabot Opener in Hayward on Friday and Saturday, February 23-24.