As Puma Track & Field hits the mid-season mark, the future looks bright. The Pumas, who recently competed in the PV Spring Invite and the Cody McBride Invitational, are currently ranked 11th nationally, and 4th regionally, on the men's side, while the women are ranked 9th regionally. As they head into the ACCAC championship meet this Friday, both teams are geared up to continue the strong performances they have had up to this point.
Highlight performances from the PV Spring Invite included a number of event winners, national qualifying marks, PVCC Top 10 performances and personal bests. Event victories included Corde Long's triple win in the 200m (21.10), 400m (47.37), and 110m high hurdles (14.38); Jesse Avina in the javelin (184'1"); Will Ryan-Johnson in the 1500m (4:07.31); and the 4x400m relay (Miles Fears, Corde Long, Joel Goulbourne, Tyler Carreon) in 3:14.0. Long's efforts were all national qualifiers, personal bests and PV records in the 400m and 110m hurdles. Other national qualifying marks included Joel Goulbourne's second-place finish in the 400m (47.71- a personal best and #2 on the PV all-time list), Jesse Avina's winning throw in the javelin, and the PV all-time record performance in the 4x400m relay. One week later, the Cody McBride Invitational brought more of the same.
The Cody Mc Bride Invitational, named in remembrance of former Puma Track & Field standout student-athlete, Cody Mc Bride, saw more wins, records and national qualifiers. Long, again, flexed his muscles winning the 110m and 400m hurdle events. His times of 14.21 and 51.86 surpassed the national qualifying standards and eclipsed his own school records. Ryan-Johnson won another 5000m event with a qualifying mark of 15:22.89 while Tyler Carreon added his name to the list of national qualifiers with a win in the 800m in a time of 1:54.49 (ranking him #10 on the PV all-time list). Two of PV's strong throws corps rounded out the wins with Jared Nation's victory (and national qualifier) in the javelin (178'1"), and Luis Diaz-Bojorquez' big win in the shot put (47'9").
As they begin the second half of the season, the Pumas have the following student-athletes ranked in the NJCAA Top 10:
- 200m- Corde Long, #3
- 400m- Corde Long, #1
- 400m- Joel Goulbourne, #4
- 800m- Tyler Carreon, #7
- 5000m- Will Ryan-Johnson, #8
- 110H- Corde Long, #3
- 400H- Corde Long, #3
- Javelin- Jared Nation, #1
- Javelin- Jesse Avina, #3
- 4x400m Relay, #3
Next up for the Pumas is the ACCAC Conference Meet held at Mesa Community College on Friday, April 2.
Results from the PV Spring Invite can be found HERE
Results from the Cody McBride Invitational can be found HERE
The 2021 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Qualifying List can be found HERE
