By Seles Rodriguez | Staff Writer
The word dynasty is not thrown around to often, but that is exactly what the 2013 RCC men’s track and field team has created, capturing its fifth State Championship in the past six years at San Mateo Community College on May 17.
The Tigers not only swept the competition, but also broke the record of 143 points previously set by Taft Community College in 1985 with the final score of 151.
With Riverside scoring in 19 of 21 events, the team smashed the competition.
Mt. Sac. was the closest team to the Tigers in second with 60 points and San Diego Mesa finished off in third.
The Tigers finished the competition with three individual champions.
The 1500m race was won by freshman Luis Gutierrez who’s time of (3:52.62), was five seconds faster than the second place finisher.
10,000 meter race winner John Guzman won his race by a full nine seconds while Justin Thymes won the 200 meter race with the time of (21.62).
Guzman was not done. After his 10,000 meter victory, Guzman went on to place second in the 5,000 on Saturday.
In addition to the win in the 1500m, Gutierrez placed second in the 800 in 1:51.70.
Tyhmes who brought in 32 points for the Tigers also ran legs on the second place 4 x 400 meter relay (3:11.52) and on the third place 4 x 100 team (40.87).
Philip Bailey, Jordan Morris, and Chris Navarro got 3rd, 4th, and 5th place respectively, scoring 15 points for the Tigers in the decathlon.
The Tigers had a successful day scoring in nineteen of the 21 events and took 23 ‘All Americans’.
Chris Navarro was in the javelin throwing 192’10’ taking fourth in the 110 HH.
“The guys showed incredible poise and determination. They wanted to make history and they did. It was a fantastic group to work with all year long,” said coach McCarron.
The RCC woman’s track and field finished in third place with the total of 59 points for the woman’s side of the state championships behind Laney College (81 points) who placed second and Cerritos College, who took the first place title with 91 points.
