College of the Sequoias Posts Strong Marks at Fresno Pacific Sunbird Invitational
FRESNO, Calif. – The College of the Sequoias track and field team continued its season with a strong performance at the Sunbird Invitational on February 22, hosted by Fresno Pacific University. The Giants earned several top finishes across multiple events, taking advantage of the opportunity to compete against four-year colleges and other junior college programs.
Women's Sprints and Distance Shine with State-Ranked Performances
The Giants' women put together several standout performances. In the 100 meters, Katalina Castillo (Redwood HS) delivered a strong performance, finishing 11th in 12.41, which gives her the fourth-fastest time in California Community Colleges (CCC) this season. Coryn Theus (Tulare Union HS) clocked 13.28.
Lilianna Ramirez-Romero (Chowchilla HS) ran 25.32 in the 200 meters, placing 12th overall and recording the second-best time in CCC this season. Castillo followed in 26.40, which ranks ninth in the state this season.
The 400 meters featured a solid effort from Makayla Jones (Corcoran HS), who finished fourth in 59.58, a top-10 mark in the state this season (No. 7 overall). Ejaiya Burton (Tulare Western HS) ran 1:03.22, finishing ninth.
In the distance events, Dana Ruiz (Tulare Union HS) ran 5:11.91 in the 1500 meters, finishing 29th overall, and also clocked 11:11.62 in the 3000 meters, placing 15th in the state rankings this season.
Multiple Men's Posts Top State Times
On the men's side, Jeremiah West (Redwood HS) ran 10.99 in the 100 meters, placing 18th in California this season, while Mekhi Sanchez (Lemoore HS) finished with a time of 11.11, ranking 29th in the state.
Tevin Howerton (Las Vegas) had another strong showing, finishing fourth in the 200 meters (21.43), which is the fastest time in the state this season. Howerton also placed eighth in the 100 meters (10.83), ranking No. 5 in California this season.
In the 400 meters, Chase Dexter (Las Vegas) ran 48.90, ranking No. 4 in the state, while Howerton ran 49.35, currently No. 6 in California.
In the 800 meters, Anthony Illan (Exeter HS) finished in 2:12.81, while Mathew Cancio (Exeter HS) crossed in 2:13.79. Julian Valdivia (Tulare Western HS) had a strong showing in the 1500 meters, running 3:59.18, which is the fastest time in the state this season.
The Giants will be back in action this week at the Kim Duyst Invitational, hosted by Cal State Stanislaus, from Friday, February 28, to Saturday, March 1.
Team Results
Women
100 Meters
11. Katalina Castillo – 12.41 (No. 4 in CA this season)
24. Coryn Theus – 13.28
200 Meters
12. Lilianna Ramirez-Romero – 25.32 (No. 2 in CA this season)
18. Katalina Castillo – 26.40 (No. 9 in CA this season)
400 Meters
4. Makayla Jones – 59.58 (No. 7 in CA this season)
9. Ejaiya Burton – 1:03.22
1500 Meters
29. Dana Ruiz – 5:11.91
3000 Meters
15. Dana Ruiz – 11:11.62 (No. 15 in CA this season)
Men
100 Meters
8. Tevin Howerton – 10.83 (No. 5 in CA this season)
18. Jeremiah West – 10.99 (No. 18 in CA this season)
29. Mekhi Sanchez – 11.11 (No. 29 in CA this season)
200 Meters
4. Tevin Howerton – 21.43 (No. 1 in CA this season)
19. Rome Johnson – 22.51
22. Melvin Reece – 22.63
400 Meters
4. Chase Dexter – 48.90 (No. 4 in CA this season)
6. Tevin Howerton – 49.35 (No. 6 in CA this season)
800 Meters
18. Julian Valdivia – 1:59.34 (No. 18 in CA this season)
27. Anthony Illan – 2:12.81
29. Mathew Cancio – 2:13.79
1500 Meters
4. Julian Valdivia – 3:59.18 (No. 1 in CA this season)
