Valley Track Team Shows Strong at State

Savanna Perez is congratulated by coach Jim Ratigan after winning the state championship in the 800 meters.
Savanna Perez is congratulated by coach Jim Ratigan after winning the state championship in the 800 meters.

 

San Bernardino Valley College’s track team had several athletes put in strong performances at the California Community College Athletic Association state championships, held May 19-20 at American River College in Sacramento.

Sophomore Savanna Perez (Carter High School) completed her season as the top woman’s 800-meter runner in the state, winning the race in a time of 2:12.15, taking a half-second off her top time of the season. She recorded the top seven times in the state at the community college level. 

Jurupa Hills graduate Luis Ortega earned a silver medal for the Wolverines at the meet, finishing second in the 10,000-meter run. Ortega, who won the first-ever Run SBVC 5K on June 3, will transfer to Chico State in the fall.

Alyssa Hebb (Redlands East Valley) finished her Valley career with a ninth-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, as she was slowed by an illness in her final race.

The Wolverines also placed a champion in the Southern California regional event. Hector Hernandez, of Moreno Valley Canyon Springs, won the 1,500 meters at the event.