The Triton College Track & Field team has taken a positive step in
Jason Guevarra's second season as head coach. The Trojans used a combination of experienced athletes along with adding more depth on both the men's and women's sides to earn several NJCAA national qualifiers.
"Being able to have new athletes with previous experience has really helped our team progress in the right direction," Guevarra said. "We like to make sure all the athletes are accounted for and know what their goals are entering track and field meet."
Triton had their best showing of the season April 12 in River Forest at the Cougar Invitational hosted by Concordia University- Chicago.
Returning NJCAA All-American and Riverside-Brookfield graduate
Ava Connerty took home the title in the women's 100-meter hurdles, where she currently sits ranked No. 1 among NJCAA Division III programs by the USTFCCCA. Connerty has qualified for nationals in both the 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles. She has the goal of repeating as an All-American and more in May at the NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Utica, NY.
"Last year was a great experience and great competition, but this year I want to place first, take home the gold and be a two-time All-American in the women's 100m hurdles," she said.
Along with Connerty's success, the Trojans took the top three sports at the Concordia meet in the women's 400-meter dash with
Joaliz Rodriguez (Riverside-Brookfield),
Kinga Antolak (Elmwood Park) and
Sandra Saldierna (Leyden) finishing first, second and third respectfully. Both Rodriguez and Antolak are national qualifiers in the event.
The trio along with
Alexandra Svora (Riverside-Brookfield) comprise of the Triton women's 4X400 meter relay team that has earned a spot at the national championships in New York and is currently ranked fifth in NJCAA Division III.
In addition, Saldierna has qualified for nationals in the women's 800- and 1500-meter runs while Rodriguez qualified in the women's 100-meter dash.
On the men's side, Triton's 4X100 meter relay team of
Anthony Beacham (Oak Park-River Forest),
Samuel Elusoji (Riverside-Brookfield),
Nathaniel Corpuz (Leyden) and
Khyron Watts (Walther Christian) have punched their ticket to New York and nationals by meeting the qualifying standard March 29 at the First Chance Invitational hosted by North Central College. The Trojans relay team is currently ranked No. 12 in NJCAA Division III led by Beacham who looks forward to one more opportunity to become an All-American.
"Our relay team was close to placing All-American last year," Beacham said. "This year our team is full of dedicated athletes who work hard and we are all hoping to make it to the finals with the goal to place as an All-American."
Watts has also qualified for nationals in the men's 100-meter dash and had a strong showing at Concordia with a top-ten finish placing seventh in the 200-meter dash. Â
Freshman
Gabriel Arreola (Proviso Math & Science Academy) placed fifth overall at Concordia in the 800- and 1500-meter runs.
Triton will hope Arreola and others can qualify for nationals in their final opportunity April 25 at the Twilight Invitational hosted by Elmhurst University.
Follow Triton Athletics on TwitterÂ
@TritonTrojans1Â or on InstagramÂ
@Triton_College_Athletics
