Broncos strong at Cal-Nevada meet

FRESNO – Senior Claudia Garcia (Whittier) and sophomore Tokunbo Adeniji (Pomona) each met NCAA Division II provisional qualifying standards at the Cal-Nevada Invitational, held Friday and Saturday at Fresno State University.

            Garcia finished fifth in the 5,000 meters on Friday in 17 minutes, 39.16 seconds to meet the standard. It marked a personal best for the senior and gave the Broncos five points in the team competition.

            The feat meant that much more to Garcia, who a few weeks ago did not finish a 5,000 race due to a shoe problem.

            “Claudia ran extremely well and for her to run that well after having a disappointment last time out means that much more,’’ Bronco coach Troy Johnson said. “She ran a solid race. I’m very happy for her. She’s put in the effort, no question.’’

            Adeniji ran a 56.68 time in the 400 during Friday’s qualifying round. She missed reaching the finals by two-hundredths of a second.

            “Tokunbo easily ran the best race as a Bronco and I couldn’t be more proud of her,’’ Johnson said. “It’s a shame that she missed by that close of a margin of reaching the finals, but she has put herself in solid position to improving. I like what she has shown.’’

            Junior Jasmine Winn (Pomona) finished sixth in the long jump with at 18 feet, 7 inches.

            For the men, sophomore Jonathan Williams (Temecula) finished third in the 200 in 21.42 seconds. Freshman Carter Griffin (Anaheim) finished third in the 400 in a  personal-best 48.81. Senior Joaquin Ortiz (Woodland) ran a personal best 1:55.92 in Friday’s preliminaries, then eclipsed that time with a 1:54.24 in the finals. He finished seventh. Senior Sofiane Meniri was ninth in the finals in 1:58.75.

            “Carter has really shown that he has unlimited potential,’’ Johnson said. “He keeps improving and that pleases me, big time. Joaquin cut his times substantially, and to do it on back-to-back nights shows what he is capable of doing. I’m proud of both those young men.

            “We’re making not just improvement, but quality improvement for both of our teams. Those are the things that make you a difference maker.’’

            Junior Brian Roser (Chino) finished fourth in the 400 hurdles in 53.89 seconds.

            The Broncos return to the track Saturday at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational.