SANTA ANA, Calif. – In 2017, the Santa Ana College Track & Field program sent three student athletes to the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships as individuals.
Toni Lopez, Paulino Sanchez and Eric Jimenez represented the Don's at the championships in the 5,000 and 10,000 meter events.
Lopez finished in the top four, earning All-American status in both events. With a time of 18:12.87 she took third place in the 5,000M, and then followed that up with a third-place finish in the 10,000M event, clocking in at 38:21.12.
On the men's side, Sanchez placed 6th in the 5,000M event with a time of 15:25.25, and then ran his way onto the podium in the 10,000M event with a time of 32.31.05 and a third-place finish. By placing third, Sanchez joined Lopez as a 2017 All-American.
Eric Jimenez, the only one of the three returning this season, competed in the 10,000-meter event and capped his season by placing 12th in the state. Jimenez was one of only three freshmen in the state to qualify for the race.
This year the Dons look to qualify both their men and women teams in addition to individuals. Santa Ana will start the 2018 season on Saturday, January 27th with Westmont College's On Your Marks Meet.
