COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD / ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS : County Teams Can’t Stop Riverside Men and Women

Although Orange County athletes turned in several strong performances, Riverside again won the Orange Empire Conference men’s and women’s track and field titles Saturday at Rancho Santiago College.

Riverside won the men’s title with 169 points. Fullerton (146) was second and Saddleback (114) third. Riverside won both titles last year.

Orange Coast’s Mike Hancock was the only double winner from Orange County. Hancock, a freshman from Newport Harbor High, won the 800 meters in 1 minute 54.46 seconds and was also first in the 1,500 (3:52.83).

Rancho Santiago got strong performances from both its relay teams, winning the 400 and the 1,600. Riverside appeared to have won the 400 relay, but was disqualified for a handoff outside the zone.

In the 1,600, Fullerton led most of the way but Rancho Santiago’s Hector Flores made up about four meters in the final straight to win in 3:15.61. Fullerton (3:16.04) was second and Saddleback (3:20.37) third.

Rancho Santiago also got victories from Flores in the 400 (46.91), and Francisco Vasquez in the 3,000 steeplechase (9.42.80).

Rick Zumwalt of Golden West, who took first in the Southern California decathlon qualifying earlier this month, won the 110 hurdles (14.73).

In field events: Saddleback’s Craig Dunn won the javelin (184 feet 1 inch); Orange Coast’s Troy Langley won the high jump (6-6) and Fullerton’s Jerry Sanchez took first in the pole vault (15-0).

On the women’s side: The Tigers--led by sprinter Charmaine Burton and distance runner Charlotte Mayock, won with 189 points. San Diego Mesa (172) was second and Fullerton (117) third. Burton won the 100 (12.23), the 200 (24.53), and the 400 (54.98). Her time in the 200 was a conference record.

Mayock, the conference’s cross-country champion last fall, took first in the 1,500 (4:39.08) and the 3,000 (10:26.78) Saturday. She dominated the 5,000 (17:55.80) Tuesday.

Orange County’s only victories came in field events.

Fullerton’s Amy Phillips won the javelin (120-2), and teammate Monica Holguin took first in the triple jump (36-11).

Amy Willard of Saddleback won the high jump (5-2).