Diamond Bar, CA
The Cuyamaca College Men's and Women's Track & Field Team competed at the second annual Ron Kamaka memorial track & field invitational Saturday at Mt. Sac's newly renovated Hilmner field. Traveling the 3-hours north started with transportation drama when the charted bus arrived an hour and a half late for the team's scheduled departure. Unfortunately, the late departure and the unexpected traffic to the LA area, resulted in the team unable to compete in the opening relay events. Coaches Rahn Sheffield and Tim Seaman took it all in stride and quickly adjusted the game plan and calmed the nerves of a few members of the team that were obviously shaken by the off-schedule. However, the plan was to now focus on the individual events yet to come and push for great performances.
Two Lady Coyote freshman answered the call. Rianna Romasoc jumped an early season conference leading 2.95m (9'8") in the women's vault. Rianna, finished 9th overall on the day but was unable to continue due to the pole she was using reaching its limit for the height achieved on the day. Vault Coach Thomas Rusnak commented, "We blew through our pole. That's a good problem to have this early in the season. I didn't expect that but next week, we will be on a bigger pole and continue to improve." Romasoc achieved the state qualifying 'A' standard and now can focus on improvements in her technique and higher bars. Achieving the 'A' Standard doesn't guarantee a slot in the state championships, to be held this year at Saddleback College, but does place her into consideration if less than the minimum number of athletes have the 'A' standard at the NorCal and SoCal regional championships.
Brinley Campbell, a freshman coming from St. George Utah, joined the Cuyamaca College team due to the academics and the coaching staff. Having the opportunity to work with hurdle guru Coach Rahn Sheffield seems to be paying off in dividends. Campbell, in her first 100mh race of the season, lined up against what will most likely be many of the best hurdlers in the state by year's end and a former Mt. Sac, U of Hawaii and Philippines Olympian Robin Brown. Campbell rocketed out of the blocks and was in contention from the start. Olympian Brown took control of the race but Campbell gave chase. Campbell crossed the finish line in 15.23 which earned her an 'A' Standard and the 5th best time in the state. However, Brinley wasn't done, she later came back to challenge her skills in the grueling 400mh. Brinley went into the race heeding coach Sheffield's plan to work on a seventeen step stride pattern and hold that pace for as long as possible. Brinley Campbell, just a freshman and only running the event for the second time, executed the plan to perfection. Even though she was not able to hold the 17-step pattern for long, she flawlessly navigated the hurdle obstacles with grace and determination. A powerful sprint into and off the last hurdle shook her nearest competitor as she sprinted to a comfortable win. Her time was 67.06 which earned her a second 'A' standard on the day and moved her to the #3 state position for the event.
Other Coyote standout performances included, Maya Hill in the women's 800m, finishing 2nd, achieved the state 'B' qualifying standard. Bridget Fox continues to shine as she stepped up to the 200/400m double and put herself in great position for conference title honors. Sophomore Viviana Cuadras continues to be the workhorse of the team, stepping away from her 400m specialty, Vivi continue to improve in the 400mh for Cuyamaca and gives the second punch of a 'one-two punch' in the event with Campbell. Jennifer McCubbin opened her season after a one-year break with a respectable 11:58.91 in the women's 1,500m coming in 5th for the day. Mar'Azanae Townsend bounced to an 8th place in the women's triple-jump with a leap of 9.87m (32-4.75") to finish in 8th overall for the day.
Ron Kamaka Invite full results: https://tfrrs.org/results/81699/2024_Ron_Kamaka_Open_
