Gavlak Makes A State-ment In Winning Triple Jump At Bakersfield Meet
Kezia Gavlak won both the long jump and triple jump events to highlight the Pasadena City College women's track and field team's peformances at the Bakersfield Battle of the Regions Meet on Feb. 13.
Kezia Gavlak won both the long jump and triple jump events to highlight the Pasadena City College women's track and field team's peformances at the Bakersfield Battle of the Regions Meet on Feb. 13.
Gavlak, a freshman, leaped 17-4.75 feet in the long jump, tying Sequoias' Ashlyn Reed for first place. She posted a 38-1.5 in the triple jump for another event first place. The significance of that mark is it would have been tops in the state last year when Mt. San Antonio's Alessandra Jefferson had California Community College's longest mark at 38-0.75. Ironically, COS jumper Reed went on to win the 3C2A state title in the TJ (37-10.5).
In the 800 meters, Mia Belmonte was edged at the finish line by Cerritos' Nyla Nolan in taking second place in 2:22.54, just .38 behind. Belmonte is already a potential state meet candidate in an event that PCC's Deniya Fields won a bronze medal (third) at the 2025 3C2A State Championships. Fields is not participating this season in order to work on her academics.
The Lancers 4x100 relay squad of Gavlak, Destiny Rayburn, Jariah Martin, and Ireja Lauderdale placed second to Cerritos, beaten in a close finish 48.70 to PCC's 48.90.
Rayburn was third in both the long jump (16-3.25) and triple jump (35-4.5). Martin was seventh in the 100 (13.37) and ninth in the 200 (28.20).
On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Lancers are scheduled to compete in the El Camino 5-Way Challenge meet begining at 10 a.m.