Women place eighth overall with 49 points two points shy from a top six finish

Hartnell College women's track & field put up a good fight at the Northern California Championship placing eighth overall with 49 points just two from a top six finish. The Panther women will send four women to the 3C2A State Championship at Mt. San Antonio College on May 15-16. 

The women were led by sophomore Jenna Emerson who placed third in both the 100mH (14.79) and 400mLH (63.97) and by freshman Gabriela Cardenas who was second in the 3000m steeplechase (11:46.42) and third in the 5000m (18:47.05). Emerson's time in the short hurdle race improved on her fifth best performance in program history. She also now sits sixth all-time in the 400mLH. Jenna was also sixth in the triple jump (10.70m) and will compete in a third event at the state championship. In 2025, Emerson was fourth in the 400mLH to earn All-American honors. Cardenas led nearly all of the 3k steeplechase before being overtaken by Deia Kerseg of College of San Mateo. She will be the heavy favorite to win the Norcal title next spring but still heads into her final steeplechase with the fastest time in the state at 11:29. Fellow freshmen Anglelina Tran and Deisy Gracida Gabriel dipped under 12 minutes for the first time to place fourth and fifth in the 3k steeplechase. Tran (11:55.95) moves to sixth fastest ever with Gracida Gabriel (11:56.92) seventh. Gracida Gabriel also picked up eighth place in the 5000 meters in a personal best 19:18.79. Sophomore Alexa Flores completed her career with a fifth place in the 10,000 meters and a personal best 42:09.57. Freshman Crystal Madrigal was eighth in the 1500 meters (4:59.80). Belle Caasi placed fifth in the hammer (38.34m) but does not have the State "A" mark. Freshman Joceline Carrasco Tafolla was eighth in the hammer (36.48m). 

The Panthers will have two weeks to prepare for the 3C2A State Championship at Mt. San Antonio College on May 15-16.