State Championships: 11 Individuals Competed

The Hartnell College men's and women's track & field teams sent eleven individuals to the 2026 3C2A Track & Field State Championship at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA and returned with three All-Americans, several lifetime events bests, and a USA Under 20 Championship qualifier. 

Sophomore Aiden Ishimaru concluded his career with the best hammer competition of his Hartnell College career. On his first throw of the competition he unleashed the hammer 52.20m/171-3, a new lifetime best and a mark that makes him the second best in program history. He also had three other throws over 50 meters in the same competition for the first time in his career. Aiden was the highest placing Hartnell athlete of the championship in second place and earned All-American honors. As a freshman, Aiden had shown tremendous potential in the hammer throw only to have the post-season taken away by a broken foot. 

Sophomore Julian Vargas waited two years to race the state championship 5000 meters and once again chose to lead a majority of it. Vargas held the lead until the final lap but would hold on for an All-American fourth place finish in 14:56.14, the third time he ran sub 15 this spring. Sophomore Adrian Manriquez was fifth in a very competitive men's 400mIH race with his second fastest time of the season in 53.76. One year after failing to make the Northern California final, Manriquez is now an All-State finisher. 

Freshman Nathaniel Aceves-Aguilar put together one of the best decathlon competitions of all the twelve competitors to place sixth overall as a freshman. His score of 6323 points moved him into fifth best in Hartnell College history. Day one included personal bests in the 100m (11.75), a decathlon long jump best 6.85m/22-5.75, shot put best 10.96m/35-11.50, and 400m best of 53.76. On day two, he set best in the discus at 39.54m/129-8, pole vault 3.90m/12-9.50, javelin 54.49m/178-9, and 1500m (5:14.59). His javelin mark was the best throw by a Northern California athlete for the entire season and moves him into twelfth best all-time. By virtue of his 6323 point score, Aceves-Aguilar is now eligible to compete in the USA Under 20 Championship on June 18-19 in Eugene, Oregon. 

Those who also competed at the championship were Corbin Osborn, tenth in triple jump, Joshua Na, tenth place in the discus, Ivan Martinez-Galindo, tenth in the 3k steeplechase, and Deisy Gracida Gabriel, twelfth in the 3k steeplechase.