SD Mesa Track and Field Wraps Up Successful State Championships

SD Mesa Track and Field Wraps Up Successful State Championships
Posted: May 20, 2023

The San Diego Mesa College men's and women's track and field team wrapped up the 2023 season at the 3C2A State Championships, with the men's team finishing in 2nd place and the women's team in 3rd place. 

"Today was a historical day for both our men's and women's team," states head coach Sean Ricketts. "This is the first time in school history that both our teams finished on the podium together." 

The men's team finish with four individual state champions:

Jake Beckwith, in one of the most exciting finishes of the day, out-leaned Kyle Reden of Riverside Community College in the 800 meter, with both tumbling at the finish line. Beckwith finished 1:54.32 and Reden 1:54.36. 

- (SD Mesa) Jake Beckwith 1:54.32
 - Kyle Reden (Riverside) 1:54.36
- Luke Gleason (Riverside) 1:54.66

Sophomore Jeramiah Havens dominated the field from day-one, running a personal record in the 100 meter with a time of 10.96. After 3 events on Friday, Havens led with 2266 points.  On Saturday, Havens once again set another personal record, this time in the 110 hurdles, crossing the finish line at 15.82. Havens 6,939 point total is a national junior college season best. 

(SD Mesa) Jeramiah Havens 6,939
 - Aaron Wood (Modesto) 6,899
- Ryan Gregory (Santa Barbara) 6,457 

Cesar Salazar chose the perfect day to put his best. The sophomore out of Sweetwater High School defeated the defending champion, Donal Aluesi from Riverside College. Salazar's 54-6 1/2 eclipses Aluesi's 54-2. Salazar's throw of 54-6 1/2 (16.62) ranks #3 all time at Mesa College. 
- (SD Mesa) Cesar Salazar 16.62 1/2 
 - Donal Aluesi (Riverside) 16.51 
- Canaan Wharry (Yuba) 16.00 

In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, the Olympians finished with a remarkable 1-2-3 finish. Kueker was once again best in the state, defending his 2022 title, finishing with a time of 9:19.16.
He was followed by teammates David Millan 9:23.53, and Zak Beckwith 9:27.02. 

- (SD Mesa) Bryce Kueker 9:19.16
- (SD Mesa) David Millan 9:23.53
- (SD Mesa) Zak Beckwith 9:27.02

The women's team finish the season with two state champions:

Madison Rauch cleared 11' 8" in the women's pole vault, securing back-to-back state championships for the Olympians.  The Escondido native defeated Bailie Horton (Mt. Sac) who cleared 11' 4 1/4" and Andie Aymond (Chabot) who finished in 3rd place with a 11' 4 1/4".

- (SD Mesa) Madison Rauch 11' 8"
 - Bailie Horton (Mt. SAC) 11' 4 1/4"
- Andie Aymond (Chabot)  11' 4 1/4"

It takes one big throw at the right time. Sophomore Kaela Estrada etched her name into the Mesa College track and field record book as state champion after throwing 37.96 meters on her second to last attempt. Estrada went back and forth with Sara Peters of Shasta College who had taken the lead on her 3rd attempt with a successful throw of 35.53m. Angelina Escobar finished 3rd with a 34.90 throw. 

- (SD Mesa) Kaela Estrada 37.96m 
 - Sara Peters (Shasta) 35.53m 
- Angelina Escobar (Cerritos) 34.90m

Notable Highlights:

  • In the 10K run, Mohussin Abakar finished in 3rd place and Presley Bennett placed 8th. 

  • Kaela Estrada placed 6th in the discus throw. 

  • Jesus Villareal, finished 7th in the 10K. 

  • Kais Kimuli 2nd Place Shot Put 13.28m #8 All Time

  •  Sidney Garcia 4th Place 800m 2:17.60 #5 All Time

  • Kyana Cook 4th Place Steeplechase 12:04.31

  • Sophie Moser Smith 5th Place Steeplechase 12:13.06

  • Men's 4x400m 2nd Place 3:14.86 #9 All Time (Jake Beckwith, Harrison Hansen, Luke Yruretagoyena, Lamar Smith)

  • Jasper Kadlec 3rd Place Javelin 56.0m and 5th Place Shot Put 15.79m

  • Moray Steward 2nd Place 100m 10.38

  • Lamar Smith 3rd Place 200m 21.47 and 5th Place 100m 10.59

  • Devin Provence 5th Place 1500m 3:57.55