Eden Hahn and Jordan Gibson started the Pirates' 2018 track and field season in fine style by dominating the short sprints in the Battle of the Regions track meet hosted by Bakersfield College on Friday. Both sprinters finished first in the 100 and 200 meters, achieving the SoCal auto qualifying standards in the process. As an added bonus, Gibson's 200-meter time of 21.72 also met the "B" standard needed for advancement to the state championships in May. Hahn's busy day did not end with the short sprints. She also anchored the 4x400 meter relay to first place and the 4x100 meter relay to a runner-up finish.
Eleven women achieved twenty-three SoCal qualifying marks, while ten men hit on nineteen standards.
Other top three finishers for the Ventura women included: Brihana Romero (3rd, 400m; 1st 4x400), Fabiola Gomez-Flores (3rd, 800m), Marissa Gonzales (2nd, 1500m; 2nd, 3000m), Sandra Harness (2nd, 100m hurdles; 1st, 4x100), Andrea Rios (3rd, 100m hurdles), Lilly Christenson (3rd, Long Jump; 2nd 4x100; 1st 4x400) and Sydney Eads (2nd 4x100; 1st 4x400).
Top-three finishers for the Pirate men included: David Lopez (2nd, 100m; 2nd, 200m), Max Carmona (2nd, 800), Adan Cruz (2nd, 1500m, 1st, 3000m), Alex Ambriz (3rd, 1500m), Kamar Wilson (2nd, High Jump) and Chris Lawry (3rd, High Jump; 2nd, Pole Vault).
"Our entire staff was pleased with the opener," commented head coach Tony Veney. "This meet always gives us a measuring rod for how close we are to out May time and distance goals."
The Pirates return to Bakersfield for the annual Western State Conference Relays on Friday Feb. 16 with all 12 conference track programs scheduled to compete. Field events begin at 12 noon while first running event goes off at 1:00 pm.