COMPLETE 3C2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Pasadena City College didn't reach the top of the podium, but the Lancers did score their highest finish in 12 years at the 3C2A State Track and Field Championships held Saturday at College of San Mateo.
Coach Innocent Egbunike's Lancers tallied 20 points in placing 12th out of 37 scoring teams at the state meet after last placing ninth at the 2013 finals.
Deniya Fields was denied in her quest for a state title in the 400 meters, beaten at the wire by Canyons' Hazel Rhodes at a 55.62 seconds winning time to edge the PCC freshman by just .05. Fields, who was the Southern California champion, posted the state's fastest time on a school record 54.64 at the SoCal Finals. Fields silver medal scored eight team points.
In the 800, Fields, the state leader with her SoCal Prelims mark of 2:14.67, rallied from last place at one point but settled for third place at state with a modest 2:19.02. That bronze earned six team points.
Sophomore Jaylin Morgan placed third in the 200 dash behind a 24.82 mark (her best was 24.29 at the SoCal Finals) as she added the squad's final six points.
"It was a great meet for PCC to have three top 3 finishes," Egbunike said. "Deniya has an opportunity next year to come back and challenge again for potentially two state titles. Jaylin had a remarkable improvement from her freshman year to this season."
Omhunique Brown was the last Lancers state champ when she won both the 100 and 200 races at the 2013 title meet.
Modesto Junior College snapped Mt. San Antonio's 3-year winning streak to score the Northern California institution its first-ever state championship.
Fields (left) with second-place medal in 400
LANCERS MEN
Anthony Pequeno placed out of the scoring, taking ninth place in the 200 at 22.12. He had a season-best 21.30 when he was second at the SoCal Championships.
The 4x100 relay squad of Jayden Jordan, Travon Avery, Pequeno and Jamir Allen settled for ninth at 43.11. The Lancers had raced their season best of 41.42 at the SoCal Finals.
The Lancers failed to score as a team, last performing that feat in 2018 (27th place).
Pequeno (left) in action at state meet
