May 19-20, 2023
Modesto, CA.
SBCC Track & Field sent 2 athletes to the CCCAA Championships at Modesto Junior College on Friday May 19 and Saturday May 20. Both athletes represented the Vaqueros with courage and honor and returned to campus as All-Americans. On Friday night freshman Sage Holter emerged victorious at the end of 25 laps to become the CCCAA State Champion for the 10,000m run. The lead changes over the first 20 laps were numerous, but Holter always remained near the front of the pack. Holter, the runner-up from the South Regional and the winner from the North Regional, Andrea Villegas of Hartnell, eventually separated themselves from the rest of the field soon after the 5000m mark. Then, with 5 laps remaining, Holter took control of the race and pulled steadily away to win the race in 38:28.08, 15 seconds ahead of Villegas.
Near the end of Saturday's competition, Holter returned to the track to place 2nd in the 5000m. Sitting tucked into second place behind the pace setter, Marikay Schwab of Golden West College for the first 3000m, Holter shot to the lead with 5 laps remaining and pushed the pace hard dropping all competitors except Hannah Hartwell of College of the Redwoods who had already won the 1500m and 800m races that day. Despite coming within 2 seconds of her fastest time just 24 hours after running the 10K the night before, Hartwell was able to pull away from Holter on the final lap to take the victory. Holter's 2nd place finish earned her her 2nd All-America certificate of the meet. While she is a freshman athletically, she is a sophomore academically and will transfer to a University in the fall.
Congratulations, Sage!
