The Voice - Student Newspaper

Track & Field shines at Paradise Valley Invitational

For GCC Track & Field, it was easy as one-two-three (or in their case, first, second or third) in the majority of events at last weekend's PV Invitational.

Freshman Mikio Bain and sophomore Brittney Clark shone brightest for the Gauchos.

Clark tied for first in the women's high jump with a mark of 5-feet-1-inch. She was more concerned about her personal mark than the honor it garnered, however.

"The placing is really that big of a deal to me. It's more my mark. With my high jump, I'm pretty frustrated with it right now, because I'm only jumping five-one, and last year I started out jumping five-three."

Her concern is validated, as the qualifying mark for nationals in the women's high jump is 5-feet-3-inches.

Clark also finished second in the women's triple jump, finishing with a mark of 33-feet-1-inch.

For the men, freshman sensation Mikio Bain received the most accolades, finishing second in both the 60-meter (7.10 seconds) and 200-meter (22.13 seconds) dashes.

Like Clark, Bain refuses to be satisfied with the meet's results, citing better times earlier in the season. The dip in his speed can be attributed to pulled hamstrings in both legs.

"I'm trying to take it easy, but I want to go hard at the same time," Bain said.

Going hard seemed to be the running theme from both athletes and head coach Ralph Neighbors.

"Track is natural talent with a lot of training added on," Neighbors said. "Some are great trainers, and some aren't. Some are from high school programs where they got by because they're very talented."

Neighbors cited Bain and freshman Precious Amukamara as two of the hardest workers on the team.

Amukamara and freshman Domineek Staten finished first and third in the women's 200-meter dash, respectively.

Amukamara's time of 25.82 qualifies her for nationals, creating the dilemma of choosing between the 200m or the 400m as her event at nationals. Up to this point, the 400m had decidedly been her best event.

"It's going to be a big decision for her," Neighbors said.

Other notable performances turned in by Glendale athletes include a first-place finish by freshman Akinwumi Akinwande in the men's triple jump (44-feet-4.25-inches).

Staten finished first in the women's 60m dash with a time of 8.05 seconds, while freshman Matt Murray finished third in the men's high jump with a mark of 6-feet-4-inches.

Glendale will host a meet this Saturday at 11:30, with Central Arizona, Phoenix, and Scottsdale community colleges all attending.

Scottsdale's Chanelle Johnson finished first to Clark's second in the women's triple jump last weekend with a mark of 34-feet-4.75-inches.

Please send comments to mnpetersen@gccvoice.com