Bakersfield College hosted the Western State Conference Finals meet on April 29 where 11 teams competed. The meet had many delays and officials were still reviewing finishes after the meet was over.

The top six finishers in each event advance to the Southern California Preliminaries on May 7.

This was also the first meet with the new track surface that was just put in.

“It [track surface] was great. Softer, faster, and it didn’t feel like cement. You could tell it was built for speed. It made a big difference, from the start of the race to the end,” said BC sprinter Kyra Saunders.

“It’s beautiful. Way better than the last track. It’s not too hard and not too soft. I think it makes a difference on how you run, but being able to get a feel of it a week before we ran was perfect,” said Tyra Saunders.

The BC women’s track team took fourth at the meet with a team score of 81.

Tyra Saunders took first in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.32 seconds. Saunders took sixth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.73 seconds.

“I think I did great in the 4×100-meter relay and the 100, but I could have tried a little harder to stay in the race in the 200,” said Tyra Saunders.

Kyra Saunders placed second in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.52 seconds. Saunders also placed second in the long jump with a mark of 17 feet, 7 inches (5.37m). Saunders also ran in the 200-meter dash, but she couldn’t finish the race due to a left leg injury.

“It wasn’t one of my best meets. It could’ve been better, but overall I ran to the best of my ability,” said Kyra Saunders.

Sydney Roman placed fifth in the 1500-meter run with a time of five minutes 4.49 seconds.

Carina Perezchica placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute 10.77 seconds.

The BC women’s 4×100-meter relay team, consisting of Emagee Tyler, Kyra, Kassidy Murphy, and Tyra, placed second in the 4×100-meter relay with a time of 47.86 seconds.

The women’s 4×400-meter relay team, consisting of Tyra, Kyra, Murphy, and Tyler, placed sixth in the 4×400-meter relay with a time of four minutes 15.70 seconds.

Sha’Nya Terry placed third in the shot put with a distance of 34 feet, 2 inches (10.42m). Terry also placed third in the hammer throw with a distance of 108 feet, 6 inches (33.08m). Terry placed sixth in the discus throw with a distance of 105 feet, 6 inches (32.16m).

Marilyn Quintero took first in the discus throw with a distance of 135 feet, 6 inches (41.31m). Quintero placed sixth in the shot put with a distance of 33 feet, 4 inches (10.15m).

The BC men’s team took seventh at the meet with a team score of 55.

Dillen Littles took first in the discus throw with a distance of 148 feet, 10 inches (45.36m). Littles places third in the shot put with a distance of 49 feet, 8 inches (15.14m).

Jacob Bookout placed second in the high jump with a jump of 6-6. Bookout placed fourth in the triple jump with a jump of 45 feet (13.74m).

Daniel Aguirre placed fifth in the 800-meter run with a time of 1 minute 57.27 seconds.

Christopher Moreno placed fourth in the 1500-meter run with a time of four minutes 1.23 seconds.

Mark Agbalog placed sixth in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.84 seconds.

The BC men’s 4×400-meter relay team, consisting of Lucas Parviainen, Donaldo Mendivil, Aguirre, and Issac Hernandez, placed sixth with a time of three minutes 21.97 seconds.

Tristan McGee placed fourth in the long jump with a mark of 21 feet, 6 inches (6.56m).

The Southern California Preliminaries are on May 7 at Antelope Valley College.