With championship season beginning this week, members of the San Bernardino Valley College track teams competed in one last meet before starting their path to the state championships.
Most of the members of the men's team were at Cerritos College on Saturday for the Cerritos Invitational, with many runners starting to peak at the right time.
Jacob Mendiola continued his strong spring, winning the 1500 meters with a state "A" standard time of 3 minutes, 58.33 seconds, dropping his personal best by more than 3 seconds. The time was the seventh fastest in the state this year. In the 800 meters, he also posted a PR, finishing second with a time of 1:56.12.
Right behind Mendiola in the 1500 was Kevin Nava, who chopped four seconds off his personal best at the distance, finishing with a state "B" standard time of 4:00.19. Teammate Vinnie Quiroz (4:09.22) posted his season best in the event, while Zach Calderon (4:12.45) and Nick Juarez (4:14.98) each posted personal bests at the distance.
Noah Townsend finished third in the 3000-meter steeplechase, posting a time of 10:26.33, the 23rd fastest time in the state this year. Gael Martinez also posted his personal best in the 800 meters, clocking in at 2:03.87.
Meanwhile, the members of the men's 4x400 relay team participated at the Mt. SAC Relays community college races Saturday evening. The team, consisting of Semaj Johnson, Solomon German, Keshion Mackel, and Elijah Koskey, finished third in the race, posting a time of 3:19.74.
The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championships begin Wednesday with the preliminary rounds, with the championships scheduled for Saturday. All events are set for San Diego Mesa College.