Panthers Run Fast 5k in Hayward
With the potential for limited cross country venues due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided to best preserve competition this fall with any necessary accomodations. With that in mind, Chabot College proposed the first ever fall Twilight meet. Men would be given the opportunity to take a break from racing over hill and dale and compete at 3000m or 5000m on the track. The mid-season competition produced three of the top three 5000m times in program history demonstrating the unique connection between cross country training and track performance.
Running again versus top program American River College, the Panthers were able to show even better ability to change important individual places at the end of the race. Freshman Esteban Deniz performed the best placing second overall in 14:51.48. That mark for the twelve and a half lap race is the sixth fastest ever and puts Deniz right behind CCCAA All-American Michel Ramirez. Right behind Deniz in third was the Norcal Preview Meet winner Isaac Gensel in 14:52.26. Gensel moves into the seventh spot just ahead of former Hartnell record holder Tony Roman. The biggest surprise was Ricky Diaz III who broke 15 minutes and was just one second behind the top American River finisher. Ricky clocked 14:57.52 to become the tenth fastest ever just behind local legend Nacho Flores. Francisco Maciel was tenth in 15:18.1, freshman Eli Ainsworth was 15:30.2 in his debut at the distance, and Daniel Correa 15:49.5.
Jose Velazquez lead the Panthers in Heat Two with his 15:50.0. He was followed by Rigo Garcia (16:03.5), Mario Avila (16:04.6), and Josh Riley (16:06.3).
A group of Panthers at 3000 meters with Joseph Loredo leading at 9:11.7. Miguel Leon-Fernandez (9:12.3), Jesus Martinez (9:38.7), Daniel Pantoja (9:41.6) and Carlos Espinoza (9:46.6) rounded out the top five marks.
