Submitted photo – The Corsairs honored their sophomores at Saturday’s meet at the Redwood Bowl.

Former Eureka Logger Thomas Becannon has thrived at the collegiate level since making the decision to join the College of the Redwoods track and field team, and he’s not alone.

Former McKinleyville Panther Che Jimenez also has been making some noise for the Corsairs this spring, as has a deep roster of women’s sprinters.

The CR athletes made the short trip to compete at the Humboldt Invite at the Redwood Bowl over the weekend and they continued to impress as we head towards the business end of the spring season.

Becannon placed second in the 1500 meters at the three-team meet, which also included the host school and Oregon Tech.

Becannon set a new PR with a time of 4 minutes, 10.85 seconds and has now knocked a remarkable 27 seconds off his fastest time in the event since graduating from Eureka High in 2021.

Jimenez, meanwhile, placed first in the men’s triple jump and second in both the 200m and long jump, with PRs in the latter two events.

Myles Gilbert also had a big day for the CR men and was first in the high jump, an event he has already qualified for state in despite nursing a heal bruise.

Sophomore Chance Hefter added three wins for the Corsairs after taking first in the shot put, the hammer and the discus.

Several of the CR women also continued to impress, most notably in the sprints and 800m.

Del Norte’s Tianna Thompson won both sprints and set new PRs in both, finishing the 100m in a time of 12.44 seconds and the 200m in 25.85 seconds.

Eureka’s Sativa Younge was second in the 100m and also set a PR (12.48 seconds), while Del Norte’s Alyssa McCovey was second in the 200m as she returns from injury.

The CR women placed second through fifth in the 800m, with Hannah Hartwell leading the way, followed in turn by Kristin Bonomini, Chloe Allen and Maggie Stacy.

Eureka’s Bonomini (2:27.40) and Fortuna’s Stacy (2:38.27) each set PRs in the event and the Corsairs now hold the top four times in conference this spring.

Hartwell also won the 1500m, while the CR women’s 4x100m relay team ran a season-best time of 50.66 seconds, which is a state B qualifying time.

Also impressing for CR, Kallie Schoenbachler took first in the women’s triple jump and fourth in the discus, while Alexee Kline was second in the hammer and third in the discus, setting a new PR in the latter.

“This was a great meet for us,” CR head coach Reed Elmore said. “Everyone is PR-ing and getting better. This is the time to do it. We have one meet before conference (championships) and then it’s trying to get to state. 

“We are setting ourselves up for a great conference and post-conference season.” 

For the men’s team, Arnold Dilworth also set a PR in the 200m on his way to a third-place finish, while Hoopa’s Gavin Albers ran a PR of 23.65 seconds in the same race.

McKinleyville’s Nathan Witte, who is just returning from an injury, also impressed and placed second in the 400m, while the consistent Kyle Byrne was fifth in the 800m and now has the fourth fastest JC time in the state.

Dennis Petrus was third in the men’s long jump, with Fortuna’s Tai Bolden in fourth, while Daegan McClary was second in the javelin and fourth in the discus.