Comets Open Track & Field Season Strong at OCC Opener

COSTA MESA, CA (1/31/2025) -- The Palomar College women's track and field team kicked off their 2025 season with a promising showing at the Orange Coast College Early Season Event Meet on January 31.

Leading the way was freshman Roxana Contreras, who impressed in multiple events. She took first place in the pole vault with a clearance of 2.46 meters (8' 0.75") and added a third-place finish in both the high jump (1.30m/4' 3.25") and long jump (4.54m/14' 10.75"). Her versatility set the tone for a competitive Comets squad.

On the track, Lauren Gonzalez posted a strong third-place finish in the 800 meters (2:52.70) and later placed eighth in the 1500 meters (5:47.61). Fellow freshman Michelle Aguilar followed close behind in both events, finishing fourth in the 800 (2:55.20) and ninth in the 1500 (6:10.59). Hannah Strate rounded out the distance crew with a solid performance in the 3000 meters, taking seventh place in 13:11.35.

In the throws, freshman Fialupe Vaivai delivered a standout third-place finish in the shot put (9.10m/29' 10.25") and a fourth-place mark in the discus (32.74m/107' 5"). Vaivai also competed in the javelin, taking eighth. Morgan Fornof and Sophia Wicks added valuable depth, with Fornof placing in all three throwing events and Wicks taking seventh in discus and sixth in shot put.

With a talented young roster and strong early performances, the Comets are poised for an exciting campaign.