The College of the Canyons track & field program hosted the Western State Conference (WSC) Prelims on Friday, with the Cougars men’s and women’s teams able to take advantage of the familiar surroundings.

Canyons combined to qualify for next week’s WSC Finals in 23 individual spots while claiming conference championships in three events. The Cougars also qualified for the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) SoCal Championships in seven events.

COC freshman Dana Bowers set the tone for the day in the first event by claiming a WSC title in the women’s javelin with a throw of 33.61m. That mark was more than five meters better than the next closet competitor.

Not done yet, Bowers also finished second in the shot put at 11.11m and fourth in the high jump with a leap of 1.55m. She will now move on to compete at the SoCal Championships in all three events.

Also claiming a WSC title was sophomore Marissa Kneisel who finished first in the long jump at 5.37m.

Kneisel, who has already left her name in the COC record books as the women’s soccer program’s all-time leading scorer, went on to place third in the high jump at 1.55m. She also placed ninth in the 100m with a time of 13.05 and, like Bowers, will also be moving on to the regional championships.

Kaitlyn Matthews was the third WSC champion to emerge for the Cougars on Friday, as she took first in the high jump at 1.60m, to also advance to regionals.

Tisian Nealy qualified in two events after placing third in the women’s 200m (25.89) and fourth in the 400m (57.86). Likewise for Jada Selexman who took second in the 100m hurdles (15.90) and fourth in the 400m hurdles (1:05.67).

Alexandra Whitman finished second in the women’s 10,000m with a time of 39:43.01 to lead a strong COC contingent in that event. Jessica Ruiz (40:15.60), Amanda DeJesus (40:45.64) and Lizeth Flores (40:57.33) finished third, fifth and sixth, respectively.

On the men’s side, Jason Hillquist finished second in the 10,000m with a time of 32:04.23 and Joel Estrada placed second in the 800m (1:56.58).

Arnold Bautista took fourth in the 1,500m with a time of 4:01.82, followed by several of his teammates. Hillquist (seventh, 4:04.27), Estrada (ninth, 4:05.46) and Joseph Rosales (10th, 4:06.13) each qualified for next week’s WSC Finals.

Robert Brennan took second in the 200m (22.55) and 400m (48.60) to also advance to the WSC Finals. Jonathan Choi (11.14) and James Berkley (11.25) placed second and third, respectively, in the 100m to also advance.

Cole Mears took fourth in the javelin with a mark of 45.92m.

The 2016 WSC Finals will be held Friday, April 29, at Bakersfield College.

The 2016 CCCAA SoCal Regional Finals will take place Saturday, May 14, at Antelope Valley College.

A full list of COC Track & Field qualifiers is listed below:

Women

Elaine Pusey 1500m 11th 5:23.97
Jada Selexman 100h 2nd 15.90
Tisian Nealy 400m 4th 57.86
Marissa Kneisel 100m 9th 13.05
Diani Ellis 800m 5th 2:23.22
Jada Selexman 400h 4th 1:05.70
Tisian Nealy 200m 3rd 25.89

Men

Arnold Bautista 1500m 4th 4:01.82
Jason Hillquist 1500m 7th 4:04.27
Joel Estrada 1500m 9th 4:05.46
Joseph Rosales 1500m 10th 4:06.13
Zachary Larson 110h 8th 16.81
Robert Brennan 400m 2nd 48.60
Randle Williams 400m 6th 49.18
Jonathan Choi 100m 2nd 11.14
James Berkley 100m 3rd 11.25
Jaeton Williams 100m 7th 11.33
Joel Estrada 800m 2nd 1:56.58
James De Mello 800m 8th 1:58.22
Carson Lysik 400h 8th 59.50
Robert Brennan 200m 2nd 22.55
James Chevious 200m 9th 22.99
Randle Williams 200m 7th 22.83