Gillis wins SoCal title with new PR

The Saddleback women's track & field team was participating at the Southern California Prelims this weekend and had a record-setting performance on day one.  Anna Gillis set a personal-best in the hammer throw to capture the Southern California Regional title.

Most of the events will not be decided until next Saturday but a handful of events finished up on Saturday at San Diego Mesa College.  One event that is final is the hammer throw where the Gauchos finished 1-7 with Anna Gillis winning the event and Samantha Perez finishing seventh. 

Gillis was the favorite entering the event and didn't disappoint.  She had identical throws of 51.59 meters on her fourth and fifth throws to capture the title.  Gillis was in second place heading into her fourth throw after Amber Hart from Cerritos College threw 48.83 meters to take the lead.  Gillis then responded with the best two throws of her career, breaking a previous personal-best toss of 51.03 set at the Orange Empire Conference Championships two weeks ago.  Gillis' throw on Saturday moved her up to seventh all-time in Saddleback history and is the longest throw in the state this season.

Joining Gillis in earning points was Perez, who had a toss of 44.54 meters on her third throw of the day.  Perez had a personal-best throw of 46.82 at the Orange Empire Conference Championships, which ranks as the eighth longest throw in the state.

Saddleback has 12 team points as a result of the finishes by Gillis and Perez.  The Gauchos sit in fourth place after the prelims.