Mesa, AZ – The ACCAC began the outdoor track and field season in a big way as 14 athletes qualified for the NJCAA Division I Outdoor Championships at the Mesa Invitational Saturday.
A total of eight men and six women bettered the standards in the first meet of the year.
Central Arizona led with a total of six qualifiers, Paradise Valley had five, Mesa two and Pima 1.
CAC's Princess Kara was the only two-time qualifier, beating the standard in both the discus (168-6) and shot put (41-11 ½). The Vaqueras also had two other women earn trips to nationals: Precious Robinson in the 5000-meters (18:25.27) and Joda Campbell in the 100 hurdles (14.80). Joshua Bowen was the lone CAC male athlete to qualify, in his case the javelin (183-9).
All five of PVCC's qualifiers were men: Joel Goulborbe, 400-meters (47.72); William Ryan-Johnson, 5000-meters (15.17.82); Corde Long, 400 hurdles (52.05); Jared Nation, javelin (191-0) and Jesse Avina, javelin (189-6).
Mesa had one male and one female post qualifying marks. On the men's side Desmond Lott, discus (152-5) and for the women Ellis Collins, 5000-meters (18:45.42).
For Pima, the qualifier was in the men's pole vault was Bryce Williams (15-1).
The outdoor championships will be held at Leveland, Texas, May 11-13.
Next up for ACCAC athletes is the Pima Outdoor Meet on Saturday.
