Glendale Community College’s Tanner Mays advances to state meet in javelin

On the brink of advancing to the California Community College Athletic Assn. Track and Field State Championships, Tanner Mays wanted to regroup with his technique.

A freshman javelin thrower on the Glendale Community College men’s track and field team, Mays came into the Southern California Regionals at Riverside College on Friday looking to get back to the basics. After consulting with his teammates and coaches, things came together nicely for Mays.

Mays had a mark of 56.53 meters to finish second and qualify for the state meet, which will be held May 17 at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut.

“I’ve been looking high and low for answers,” Mays said. “I worked with [assistant coach Jason Bender] on going back to the basics and trying to fix things.

“I went out there [Friday] and felt pretty decent. I was able to shorten my run and get a good pull on it. It’s a grueling event from a technique standpoint, just like the pole vault. You have to conscientiously be in it mentally and physically and not get stressed out.”

Mays, a tight end on the college’s football team, said he will look to further elevate his marks.

“I’m excited to be moving on to what will be my biggest meet,” Mays said. “It’s a huge honor and I’ve gotten a lot of help and support from my teammates and coaches.

“I’ve still got some more time to practice and there will be a lot of good athletes that I will be going up against.”

On the women’s side, a pair of Vaqueros participated in the javelin. Ana Tongs took fourth in 36.22 meters and Nicole Pappelis finished 11th in 32.03.

Glendale will have plenty of athletes taking part in the Southern California Regionals on Saturday at the same venue.

Among those scheduled to participate on the women’s team are Kelly Castillo in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Elizabeth Nelson in the 1,500, Lizette Gonzalez and Glindyll Mancia in the 800, Caitlyn Selve in the 10K , Justice Shank in the high jump and Asiash Tuiasosopo in the discus.

For the men’s team, the Vaqueros will feature Edwardo Vasquez in the 1,500, Marcus Streeter in the high jump and Quaid Vuncannon in the discus. Glendale’s 4x100 relay team of Rick Goulsby, Streeter, Jonathan Smith and Vuncannon will also race.

--

Follow Charles Rich on Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich .