ELAC women’s T&F qualifies all SCC finalists

LONG BEACH, CA — Each of the four East Los Angeles College women’s track and field sophomores that competed today in the South Coast Conference Championship Finals advanced to the Southern California Championship Prelims.

Ruby Padilla (Montebello HS), Viridiana Hernandez (South Gate HS), Luz Badillo (Alhambra High School) and Melissa Preciado (Bell Gardens HS) qualified for SoCal.

Three of them ran personal records today in the SCC finals at Long Beach City College.

Hernandez, Badillo and Preciado placed fourth, fifth and sixth places, respectively, in the 3,000-meter steeplechase run today. They all qualified to compete in the event at SoCal.

The steeplechase is a strong event for Huskies that transfer from cross country team to track and field. All-American Laura Aceves was the 2015 SCC, So-Cal and state champion in the event.

Padilla’s times in the 1500 and 800-meter runs gave her bids in both events at the SoCal Prelims. She is the only Husky from the women’s team to advance in two events.

Padilla ran a personal record in the 5,000-meter run and took 10th place. Hernandez placed 13th; Badillo finished in 16th place.

Hernandez put together a 200-meter sprint to finish ahead of two Cerritos College women.

All three Huskies ran personal records in the 10,000-run.

Pasadena City College edged the Huskies for fifth place in the team standings.

The SoCal Championships are at Antelope Valley College with the Prelims on Saturday May 7 and the Finals on May 14.

submitted by Tadzio Garcia