Rosas wins two conference titles

GLENDALE — Karen Rosas absorbed all of the advice given to her and then proceeded to enjoy one of the biggest outings of her collegiate career.

It came during a time when the Glendale Community College women’s track and field athlete wanted to prove herself. The recommendations served Rosas well.

Rosas won a pair of events Friday afternoon at the Western State Conference Finals at Bakersfield College.

Despite battling windy conditions throughout most of her races, the sophomore prevailed in the 10,000-meter race in 38 minutes 55.79 seconds and the 5,000 in 18:21.98. In addition, she placed third in the 1,500 in 4:56.55.

“I talked to my coaches about how to go out there and run my best and they said to be confident and run strong throughout,” said Rosas, who won the conference crowns for the first time in each event after securing All-American status in each and advancing to the state championship last season. “In the 5K, I tried to go around six minutes per mile and I picked it up in the last couple of miles.

“In the 10K, my coaches told me about mainly being able to pace myself and then take off in the last mile. I was really impressed with it. I just trust my coaches and training. You go out there and put in quality workouts because it all comes down to your mindset.”

Rosas will next participate Friday in the 10,000 at the Southern California Championships at Mount San Antonio College.

The top six finishers from each event qualified for the prelims, which will be held Friday at Mt. SAC.

Also, picking up a first-place finish for the Vaqueros was Alyssa Selve. Selve clocked 4:50.75 to take the 1,500 race.

“Alyssa just ran a smart race and she’s an excellent runner,” Lopez said. “She can continue to do better because she’s that good.

“We did well as a team in  a lot of the races. We still have to get better in a lot of the field events and we need more weight people.”

Also advancing to the prelims on the women’s side from Glendale were Cecilia Nicolas in the steeplechase (third, 11:51.27), Catlin Kelly in the steeplechase (fourth, 11:53.52), Diana Sanchez in the steeplechase (fifth, 12:06.96), Jennifer Dowty in the 400 (fourth, 57.78), Laura Pluemer in the 1,500 (second, 4:55.70), Angela Martinez in the 1,500 (4:59.01), Carissa Porter in the 100 (third, 12.43), Pluemer in the 800 (fourth, 2:23.48), Martinez in the 800 (fifth, 2:25.11), Porter in the 200 (sixth, 25.87), Vivian Ochoa in the 5,000 (fifth, 18:53.35) and Sanchez in the 5,000 (sixth, 18:58.56).

Glendale’s 4x100 relay team of Daniella Pollard, Porter, Rita Assoian and Dowty placed third in 48.77. The 4x400 relay team of Dowty, Porter, Pluemer and Assoian was third (4:05.51).

In the men’s portion of the meet, no Vaquero was able to earn a first-place finish.

Neil Jones, a Crescenta Valley High graduate, placed second in the 1,500 in 4:06.19.

“Neil ran well, but he just went up against one of the best,” Lopez said. “I think the guys ran well.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t win any events, but that’s the way it goes.”

Also moving on from Glendale were Erick Lopez in the steeplechase (third, 10:13.74), Nicolas Marquez in the steeplechase (sixth, 10:25.88), Patrick Donahue in the 100 (third, 11.45), Robert Weathers (sixth, 11.61), Jones in the 800 (third, 1:55.92), Sam Winston in the 100 (fourth, 1:57.56), Ramon Robles in the 100 (fifth, 1:58.50), Trey Williams in the 200 (fifth, 22.47), Weathers in the 200 (sixth, 22.61), Albert Sabateh in the javelin (sixth, 164 feet 4 inches) and Donahue in the long jump (21-7 1/2).

Glendale’s 4x100 relay team of Donahue, Harold Tabora, Williams and Weathers qualified after clocking 42.53 for fifth place. The Vaqueros’ 4x400 relay quartet of Tabora, Adrian Anderson, Jones and Trent Adams was sixth in 3:21.89.

Final team points and placement were not available at press time.