“One time, it was the end of the track meet and the 4x4s is left. I was with Taylor Hawkins and my coach Christopher Richardson and we were so nervous we didn’t know what place in the 4x4s we needed to have to win, ” sophomore Raiven Ellis recalled her moment of minor doubt at the 2015 spring California State Track and Field Finals May 15 and 16.
The women’s track and field team made its way past Mt. San Antonio College and Riverside College to finish first with 68 points.
“Knowing that we had the best girls to run 4×4 and we were all cheering for them and knew that they were going to give their best,” Ellis said.
The title lifted by the women’s track and field team is the fifth title in Cerritos College school history.
Aside from the overall team effort to secure the title, athletes Nylia Hudspeth, Breanna Curry, Montana Deavila and Shukura Tyler, all recorded their fastest times of the 2015 season.
Ellis said, “It’s the best feeling in the world. Since we didn’t win last year, it pushed me harder to be the best I can to win this year.”
The Falcons had a long, season to beat in order to reach the finals, passing all forms of opposition in conference, regionals, south regionals, north regionals and finally a ticket to compete in state and went on to win t.
Head coach Michael Allen said, “It was tough, injuries, let downs, but the group was able to get to the finals, they always come to.”
Now that the work has payed off, it does not end there for the technical staff of the track and field teams.
“Now we start recruiting, we talk to the best high schools in the area, in the prelims,” Allen said.
According to Allen, the team tries to recruit 10 athletes in almost every event including runners and throwers and the staff will help mold players into other tasks like pole vaulters and long jumpers.
For Ellis, her story of service to a team of inspired individuals won’t stop there, she has received a scholarship to Mid-America Nazarene University in Kansas and plans to be a professional athlete.
She said, “I’ll be working with a fantastic coach. After I get my degree, I hope to become a professional athlete and a soldier for my country.”
