The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Patch and is being reprinted with permission.
Evan McDaniel posted a pair of early season state throwing bests as College of San Mateo opened its 2013 track and field season Friday hosting the Coast Conference Preview meet.
Javelin thrower Anthony Capitulo also unleashed the longest mark of the new season, 187 feet, as CSM won all four men’s throwing events. Freshman Scott Chisea (out of St. Francis)had the state’s No. 2 javelin throw, 172-4.
On the track, returning National Junior 400 meter hurdles finalist Roman Skovronski ran a state-leading time of 54.49 seconds.
It is only the third week of statewide competition so far but CSM coach Joe Mangan was pleased with the early marks on a calm 75 degree afternoon at CSM’s spectacular College Heights stadium — which will be the site of the California Community College Athletic Association Championships, May 17-18.
“We had a very nice first meet,” Mangan said. “I was particularly happy with the marks by McDaniel, Capitulo, and Skovronski – and several of our freshmen.”
McDaniel’s state-leading marks came in the shot put, 54-10 ¼ (the first thrower to go over 50-feet so far), and in the discus throw, 152-2. CSM freshman Collin Luu (Lincoln, San Francisco) was the runner-up at 145-5 to rank No. 2 in the state. McDaniel pulled off a triple with his NorCal-leading hammer throw of 138-2.
San Mateo also unveiled new women’s stars on the track and in the field: CSM freshman sprinter Breanna Navarre (out of South San Francisco high) posted the top 200 time in the state when she won the first section in 25.84, but wound-up No. 3 in the rankings after the other sections were completed. Atiya Harvey of City College of San Francisco won the next section in a pace-setting 25.02.
Navarre ran personal best times in both sprints, including 12.53 in the 100 meters – which also ranks third in the state (with Harvey at the top in 12.22).
Moreen Pahulu made an impressive debut, winning the javelin throw (110-5), placing third in the shot put (31-8 ½), and fourth in the discus throw (97-0) and hammer throw (109-5).
Other notable marks:
- San Mateo ran 3:22.85 in the 1,600 relay, second fastest community college time of the year, but CCSF lowered its own state-leading mark to 3:19.62 to holdoff the Bulldogs. CSM’s splits were Zach Cantu (51.9), Skovronski (48.6), Ryan Battle (50.9), and Kevin Kuchera (51.5).
- Kuchera (Granada High, Livermore) made his debut in the 400 meter hurdles, winning his heat in 56.46, No. 6 in the state.
- Former PAL 200 meter champion Gabe Ortiz (Sequoia) debuted for CSM with a win in his 400 meter section in 50.04, No. 4 in the state.
