Local Digest: MJC’s Roberts wins state hammer throw

Modesto Junior College’s Daniel Roberts has begun what might become a two-day rampage at the California Community College Track and Field Championship.

Roberts, a freshman from South Dakota, won the hammer throw title Friday at College of San Mateo. He took the lead in the first round and never gave it up, eventually winning with a third-round toss of 188 feet, 11 inches, just off his personal best. Teammate Eric Loomis finished eighth (165-0).

Roberts’ domination was underscored by a throw of about 200 feet in the fifth round which was erased by a sector foul. He set a high standard last week at the NorCals at American River by winning the hammer, discus and shot put.

Today, Roberts competes in the discus and shot and is favored in both.

MJC’s Melissa Garcia, a NorCal champion last week, tossed a lifetime-best 165-0 for second place in the women’s hammer throw. Teammate Alexandra Golikov also recorded a lifetime-best, a 158-0, for fifth.

Lyric Andeson placed sixth in the high jump (5-1 1/4).

Tennis

Most Improved – MJC’s Jose Gonzalez-Torres, who surged from the bottom of the Pirates’ lineup as a freshman to No. 1 singles a year later, was named the 2015 Most Improved Player of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Gonzalez claimed the singles crown at the USTA/ITA Northern California Regional Championships to qualify for the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.

“Jose represented the NorCal region in this tournament, competing against the top players in the nation,” MJC coach Shawn Black said. “This is quite an accomplishment and honor for Jose and MJC.”

Gonzalez-Torres, 29, is a graduate of Waterford High.

General

Stanislaus’ best – Soccer star Karli Nestler and men’s track and field thrower Gary Randolph were named Cal State Stanislaus’ Athletes of the Year.

Randolph won the California Collegiate Athletic Association hammer throw and shot put titles and placed second in the discus. Nestler led the Warriors to their first-ever NCAA West Regional title with her strong defensive play.

This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Local Digest: MJC’s Roberts wins state hammer throw."