The Cerritos College men's track and field team won two events at the Southern California Championships on Saturday at Riverside City College and finished the day in third place. The Falcons, who also had three second place finishers and a pair of third place finishes, compiled 94 team points and trailed only the host Tigers (170 team points) and South Coast Conference rival Mt. San Antonio College, who has 137 points. The team will have 12 entries, as well as both of their relay teams competing in the CCCAA State Championships, which will take place next weekend at Mt. San Antonio College.

Sophomore Adam Aguirre (Cantwell HS), who set the school record in the high jump earlier in the season, eclipsed his school standard with a height of 2.19 meters to win the Southern California Championship. The University of Mississippi-signee took fourth place in the javelin and will compete at the state championships in that event, as well.

The team's other champion was freshman distance runner Francisco Ortiz (Katella HS), who turned in a time of 1:54.30 in the 800 meters to edge out second place Fereon Meferia of Cuyamaca College, whose time of 1:54.74 was good for second place. Mt. SAC's Alejandro Hueza was in the running for the title, but came in third place at 1:54.76. It was another tight race in the 1500 meters, with Luis Morales of Orange Coast College coming out on top in a time of 3:59.47. In the mix for the title were Ortiz, who came in second place at 4:01.51, while sophomore Jonathan Bazinet (California HS) placed third at 4:01.66, which was just ahead of fourth place Albert Gamez of San Diego Mesa College at 4:01.81.

Double-qualifier Terrell White (Washington Prep HS) took sixth place in the 200 meters at 21.71, while his time of 48.26 earned him third place. He was edged for second place by Anthony Fowler of College of the Canyons (48.24), with Toya Johnson of Santa Moncia College coming in first place at 48.13. Freshman hurdler Mackenzi Rickman (Carson HS) had a chance to be the team's third champion, but his time of 14.49 was only bested by Keithyon Moten of Riverside, who won with a time of 14.48. Rickman posted a 14.48 in the prelims the week before.

Also qualifying in field events were freshman Jaime Vega (Downey HS), who came in fourth place in the triple jump at 14.20 meters, while freshman Matthew Seawright (Long Beach Millikan HS) was fifth in the hammer at 50.26 meters. Freshman Thomas Cheval (Birmingham HS) was also a fifth place finisher in the long jump at 6.95 meters. The 400-meter relay team (41.87) came in third place, while the time of 3:12.45 for the 1600-meter relay team earned them a second place.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPANTS

200 Meters - Terrell White - 21.71 - 6th Place
400 Meters - Terrell White - 48.26 - 3rd Place
800 Meters - Francisco Ortiz - 1:54.30 - 1st Place
1500 Meters - Frencisco Ortiz - 4:01.51 - 2nd Place
1500 Meters - Jonathan Bazinet - 4:01.66 - 3rd Place
1500 Meters - Anthony Lozano - 4:05.43 - 11th Place
5000 Meters - Elvis Salinas - 15:26.32 - 7th Place
5000 Meters - Anthony Lozano - 15:40.73 - 10th Place
110-Meter HH - Mackenzi Rickman - 14.49 - 2nd Place
400-Meter IH - Travis Thomas - 56.78 - 8th Place
400 Meters Relay - 41.87 - 3rd Place
1600-Meter Relay - 3:12.45 - 2nd Place
High Jump - Adam Aguirre - 2.19 meters (School record) - 1st Place
Long Jump - Thomas Cheval - 6.95 meters - 5th Place
Triple Jump - Jamie Vega - 14.20 meters - 4th Place
Shot Put - Andrew Prieto - 13.22 meters - 10th Place
Hammer - Matthew Seawright - 50.26 meters - 5th Place
Javelin - Adam Aguirre - 54.51 meters - 4th Place
Javelin - Jake Ostgaard - 46.46 meters - 11th Place