Pirate track continues to roll

COSTA MESA -- Orange Coast College was the site of last week's Orange Empire Conference meet and the Pirates were enjoyed the familiar surroundings, winning both the men's and women's meets on Friday.

Complete results from Friday's meet can be found HERE. 

The OCC men dominated their side of the meet with a team score of 277.50 points, followed by Saddleback (91.50), Golden West (83) and Fullerton (6). For the OCC women, it was also a convincing performance with a meet-best 210 points, followed by Golden West (109), Saddleback (24) and Fullerton (14). 

On the men's side, the Pirates really showed their depth in just about every event as the wins piled up throughout the day. Sprinter A.J. Biggins was a perfect 2-for-2, winning the 100 meters (11.36 seconds) as well as the 200 (22.98). 

Coast had a couple of close calls but came up on top in both. For the men's 400 relay, the Pirates were pushed but won with a time of 43.54, just ahead of runner-up GWC (44.5). In the 400, it came down to the wire, with OCC's Dylan Plantinga (51.55) crossing the line just ahead of Saddleback's Kyler Doverspike (51.96).

Ten other Pirate performers picked up first-place marks in their events, including Eric Galindo in the 1,500 (4:19.06), Connor West in the 400 hurdles (59.1), Tyler Marcyes in the 3,000 (10:34.85), Josh Harris in the hammer throw (81-feet, 8-inches), Tommy Cook in the pole vault (13-0), Tyler Young in the javelin (137-9), Isaiah Galloway in the long jump (20-11 3/4), Asah Harris in the discus (124-6), Devin Greene in the triple jump (45-5 3/4) and Cole Ridenour in the 10,000 (34:14). 

OCC's 4x400 relay also topped the field with a winning time of 4:00.19.

On the women's side, Coast was led by a pair of double winners ... sprinter Tiffany Ginger and distance specialist Emily Olson. Ginger picked up first-place times in both the 100 (13.18) and 200 (27.03), while Olson cruised to victory in both the 1,500 (5:07.44) and 3,000 (11:17.7).

In the field events, OCC was led by double-winner Kayley Frye, who took the gold in both the long jump (17-2) and the triple jump (35-8 1/2).

Much like the men's race, the 400 on the women's side was also a nail-biter, but in the end, OCC's Katherine Ngo (1:02.17), edged out Golden West's Camryn LaVine (1:02.46) by less than a half-second to win the event.

Coast was a perfect 2-for-2 in the relay events, with the 4x100 taking first with a time of 52.22 and the 4x400 relay team crossing first at 4:35.97.

Alison Young was the top pole vaulter at 10-0, Jacqueline Ryder topped the field in the javelin (88-1) and Nicolette Gruber was the top high-jumper at 4-10 1/4. 

The OEC multi-event championships (heptathlon/decathlon) will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at Saddleback College. In addition to the multi-event competitions, the men's and women's 3,000 steeplechase and 10,000 meters will also be decided. 

All other events will battle it out at the Orange Empire Conference Championships on Friday, May 28, at Saddleback College.