Track and Field looks to recruitment to improve on last season’s success

The PCC Track and Field team is aiming high this year—for a Top 5 state ranking. The team is looking to build on last season's top 10 state ranking. "We have the right tools, if we have the right situation and the right timing, we have the potential to win a State Championship," said Head Coach Larry Wade.

 Last year was Wade's first year as head coach and he focused on recruiting mainly men.  Some of these runners include sophomore Ronald Spears who runs the 100meter in 10.53 seconds; sophomore Robert Pachorek who runs the 100 meter, 200 meter and the long jump; and sophomore John Lee who ran the 100 meter in 10.37 seconds.

            The focus this year will be on the women.  New players include Lindsey Cooper—a local from John Muir High School—who participates in the 100 meter, 100 meter hurdles and the 4x100 meter relay; and sophomore Jackae Bridges, a Division I kickback from Nevada who will run the 4x100 meter relay, 4x400 meter relay, 100 meter, 200 meter and the Long Jump.  Returning Lancers are Tenia Sebastian who holds the fastest time in the 400 meter run at 57.5 seconds, and sophomore Marquetta Stokes who plays guard for the basketball team.  The distance team also recently placed tenth at the California Community Cross Country meet led by Elizabeth Lyons and Brian Sacripanti.

            "My goal this year is ultimately to continue to raise the competitive level of the program to match the rich history of PCC and to continue to increase the academic transfer rate," Coach Wade said. "Coming real close to 100 percent would make me proud." Wade also acknowledged his coaching staff who he says he "has been blessed with."

      "This year, which is different than any other year before, as Head Coach I have acquired the well renowned Pasadena Games Track and Field meet. We will be hosting the 69th running of the Pasadena Games," Wade said. "This event is not only open to high schools but to college, university and professional athletes as well.  We are very excited to host such a big event, a big jump for PCC and the first time in school history," Wade said.

  The meet will be held on March 23rd and March 24th with a crowd of approximately five to six thousand people expected.