Women’s T&F finishes 8th at state finals

Women’s T&F finishes 8th at state finals

The women's track and field program finished in eighth place at the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Track & Field Finals on Saturday in Bakersfield.  It was the third best finish in program history for the Gauchos.

Saddleback exceeded expectation at the finals on Saturday, having their best finish since finishing sixth in 2012.  They can thank the three participants they had at the event, who all reached the podium to receive awards and national praise.

Sara Fleming was someone who stood on the podium twice.  Fleming finished second in the state by having her best time of the season in the 1,500 meters.  Fleming crossed the finish line in 4:44.13, which was just 0.45 seconds off the program record she set in 2015.  As if that wasn't good enough, Fleming also finished sixth in the 800 meters with a time of 2:17.16, which was just shy of her personal best since arriving at Saddleback.

Another who stood on the podium twice was Anna Gillis, who finished third in the hammer throw and fifth in the discus.  Gillis had a toss of 48.20 meters on her first attempt in the hammer, finishing 2.59 meters behind eventual winner Amber Hart from Cerritos College.  She also had her best throw on her first attempt in the discus when she registered a throw of 40.10 meters for fifth place.

Megan Good had a sensational finish in the 800 meters when she had a personal-best time of 2:16.42 to finish fifth in the state.  It was the sixth fastest time in the state this season and ranked second among freshmen.  In addition, Good moved right behind Fleming into third place all-time in Saddleback program history with the finish.

Saddleback's eighth place finish ranks third all-time in program history behind 1986 (5th) and 2012 (6th). 

Congrats Gauchos!