Panthers Second at Wildcat Cup

Competing in the Wildcat Cup for the fifth time since its inception in 2019, the Hartnell College men were able to finish second to last year's Norcal Runner-Up Modesto Junior College. The meet celebrates the number of coaches in the California Community College ranks that attended and competed for NCAA DII powerhouse CSU Chico. This year's meet features host Hartnell College, Modesto Junior College, Santa Rosa Junior College, De Anza College, Merritt College, and Yuba College. The Panther men tallied 144 points for second with Modesto winning with 195 points and De Anza College in third with 101 points. 

The meet kicked off with the addition of the 10,000 meter run on Thursday with sophomore Jesse Blanco achieving the State "B" mark with his 32:40.77. Freshman Alvaro Ruelas debuted nicely in 34:04.88. Sophomore Eduardo Morfin placed fouth in the 100m (11.07) and third in the 200 meters (22.07). Freshman brothers Eduardo Manriuez (52.87) and Adrian Manriquez (62.13) fourth and third in the open 400m and 400mIH. Sophomore Jacob Dizon was third in the 800m (2:05.45) with Blanco tripling back in the 1500 meters (4:14.37) in the third and 3000 meters (9:14.43) for second. Galen Okamoto was seventh in the 3k steeplechase (11:15.21). The men's 4x400 relay team of Adrian Manriquez, Jose Cota, Eduardo Manriquez and Gianni Ponce place fourth in 3:36.15. 

In the field events, sophomore Armando Amaro achieved the State "A" in the hammer throw with a lifetime best 46.90m to place second. The mark moves the Soledad High School graduate into tenth best all-time in Hartnell history. Gianni Ponce was third in the high jump at 1.80m. Adrian Manriquez picked up a second in the long jump (6.30m) with Ponce leading all Panthers in the triple jump  in second (12.52m). Greenfiedl grad Bryan Ortega shined in the shot put with an 11.50m debut. He was also tops for the Panthers in the discus with 36.50m. Freshman Vicente Cruz opened with a mark of 36.33m in the javelin. 

The Panthers will travel North for the Norcal Preview Meet hosted by Butte College on Saturday, February 22nd.