It was familiar ground but a new race with water gleaming below the last barrier like a mirrage on the track.

David Cardona set his foot on the starting block and focused on his breathing and the 3000 meters of track ahead of him. 

The team heads to Cerritos tomorrow to compete in the Cerritos California Relays and will be heading to UC Irvine for a Spring Break Invitational.

Not quite cooled down after his record-breaking feat last week, sophomore David Cardona won a 3,000-meter steeplechase in 9 minutes and 21.33 seconds, making him the state leader. 

“It was one of the first times I tried the 3,000 steeple,” Cardona said.

“I was thinking I have to clear the barriers, make sure I don’t trip and make sure I don’t fall into the deep end of the water,” Cardona said.

According to the ECC All-Time Top 10 Performer List, Cardona has moved up to No. 5.

If making the Top 10 Performer list once wasn‘t enough, Myshauna Alexander proved that she could make it twice. 

Alexander had a strong day in the javelin with a throw of 148 feet and nine inches, which bumped her up to third for the EC’s all-time top ten list for javelin throwers; she is also the state leader by 22 feet.  

“To prepare for an event I don’t think about it and just let it flow,” Alexander said. “The more you think, the more you mess up; just let it come naturally.”

Her discus throw was also outstanding. 

A throw of 128 feet brought her to fifth place on the all-time top ten list for discus throwers.

Another strong contender in the discus throw was Jason Harrell who is currently the top community college performer with a throw of 156 feet and seven inches

“I think I did fairly decent, I’ve been trying to catch up to where I was before the season started,” Harrell said.

Furthermore, sophomore Kara Kalmar, the current state leader and first in community colleges for pole vaulting, vaulted 11 feet 8 inches, placing her third overall in the competition.

The long jump event saw an outstanding performance as well, as freshman Ronisha Vallery placed second overall with a jump of 17 feet and 11 1/2 inches.

Richard Smith threw the shot put 50 feet 1/2 inch. He is also the top community college shot put thrower and is third in the state.

“I was holding back power so that means I’m going to throw even farther next time when I get my technique down,” Smith said.

The Warriors continue to place tops in the state and do well in all the events.

“I think right now we’ve trained probably 80 percent of what we’re capable of doing,” Cardona said.

“We’re kind of setting aside all of our good workouts toward the end,” Cardona said. “Right now we’re getting most of our speed and base training in.”