After a year away, members of the San Bernardino Valley College track and field team will compete again at the California Community College Athletic Association state championships this season.
Two SBVC athletes will participate in the event, set for May 17 and 18 at Saddleback College.
Jacob Mendiola continued his strong season in the 3000-meter steeplechase, finishing second at the Southern California Regionals at Cerritos College. Mendiola cut 18 seconds off his personal best at the event, finishing second with a time of 9 minutes, 27.83 seconds, the fastest time of any freshman this season, and the third-best time by any runner in the state this year. Mendiola was the only SBVC runner participating in two events at the Regional Finals, finishing the 800 meters with a time of 2:00.64.
Joining him at the state championships will be Jade Campbell. Campbell finished seventh at the Regional Finals, posting a time of 58.75 seconds, putting her as the No. 8 qualifier in the state between the North and South.
Other SBVC runners finished their seasons last week as well. Sara Jaquez finished eighth in the 800 meters with a time of 2:27.36, missing the state meet by less than two seconds. Ximena Martinez, who was awarded the SBVC William Harrison Jr. student-athlete of the year scholarship earlier in the week, finished her SBVC career with a time of 5:14.92 in the 1500 meters. She is transferring to Cal State San Bernardino in the fall.
Also finishing her SBVC career on a high note was Yoselin Canseco - although not at the regional finals. Canseco particpated at the Franson Last Chance meet at Asuza Pacific University on Saturday, slashing 15 seconds off her personal best in the 3000-meter steeplechase, posting a time of 11:46.47 - about 2 seconds behind the school record in the event.