May 5, 2022

The region championships concluded on Thursday with Central Arizona College claiming the team championship for the women and runner-up for the men.  In order for both teams to have any success leading into the final day of competition each group had to step up and compete in multiple events as CAC has one of the smaller teams in the region.  

"I am so incredibly proud of this band of sisters who fought together for the right to be called champions."  Stated Head Coach Andrew Wood.

Zamesha Myle earned the outstanding female athlete of the meet after competing in 7 events. She amassed 34 points in 5 individual events while also running on the winning 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.

Princess Kara repeated as Region1 champion in both the discus and the shot put. She is also leading the NJCAA in the discus and is expected to be the repeat NJCAA champion.  Shakera Kirk (3rd overall discus and 6th ovr in shot put) and Kise Ugeh (2nd ovr in shot put, 5th ovr in discus) also competed and scored for the Vaqueras on Thursday. 

"We also had outstanding performances from Juvonna Cornette," Stated Wood.  Juvonna won both the 100 and the 200-meter finals while running on the winning 4x100 and the 4x400 relay teams.

Cece Charles showed her grit and determination by winning the 400-meter final and finishing third in the 200 meters. She also was on the winning 4x100 and 4x400-meter relay teams.

Central Arizona's sprinting dominance was on full display when the Vaqueras ladies finished first (Juvonna), second (Zamesha), and third (Cece) in the 200-meter final. The trio scored the most points in all events Thursday, totaling 24 points themselves.  The Lady Vaqueras also finished first (Zamesha) and second (Sariya Oliver) in the triple jump.

The ladies had key contributing scoring from the women's 1500 as 22 points was scored between Beatrice Keditukei (2nd ovr), Bella Gallo (3rd ovr), Lisbet Porras (4th ovr) and Anette Carrasco Cota (6th ovr).  Lisbet totaled 23 points herself during the 2 day meet, marking her as the 2nd highest scoring female for the track events.  The Casa Grande standout still has another year to develop as she aims for a top 8 finish at the national meet.  

"I am also incredibly proud of the CAC Men's team.  The crew from Coolidge put up a good fight but critical injuries and missed opportunities resulted in a respectable runner-up position" Said Wood.  Mesa Community College won the men's division, totaling 258 points to CAC's 212.

Godwin Charles won the triple jump but an injured ankle prevented him from also winning the long jump, he placed 7th overall in that event.  Ousman Jagne stepped up to finish second overall in the long jump. 

Razak Abdul was victorious in the 400 meter and third in the 200 meter with personal best times of 47.33 and 21.51, respectively.  Abdul was also a part of the winning 4x400 relay team and the 4x100 relay (2nd overall). 

Christian Franklin showed outstanding determination and executed his race plan to win the 800 meters in a personal best time of 1:51.20.  With his performance, Franklin posted the 15th fastest time in school history and was also a part of the winning 4x400 relay team.  

The trio of Franklin (1st ovr), Joseph Carlson (5th ovr), and Hayden Gelder (7th ovr) secured 16 points in the 800, marking the best event performance of the day for the men.  Not too far behind them was Alazar Getahun (3rd ovr), Davin Soto (5th), James Fincher (6th), and Salat Ibrahim (7th) in the 5000 meter.  The four athletes combined for 15 points total for the men's team, leapfrogging them above Pima which at the time was only a few points back from 2nd place. 

"It has been a long hard season filled with triumphs and disasters. Still, CAC showed their persevering spirit. Thank you to the young souls for trusting the coaching staff and giving us their hearts. Now it's on to the NJCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Hutchinson, Kansas" Concluded Coach Wood.  

Women's Break Down of Event Scoring for top 2 teams:

Men's Break Down of Event Scoring for top 2 teams: