Team Results From Modesto
The De Anza College track & field teams both had strong showings at the 2025 Jack Albiani Invitational at Modesto College last Thursday and Friday.
The women's team was runner-up, just 10 points behind host Modesto.
The men's team finished third, as San Joaquin Delta, Modesto and De Anza were the only schools to surpass 100 points.
De Anza's 4x100 relay team (Sarah Morales, Marissa Windham, Kaylin Mootz, Felicity Alvarado) ran a State-A mark time of 49.07 – only 0.6 behind San Jose.
"The 4x1 was an incredibly fast race, and I couldn't be any prouder of my teammates," said Morales.
"We all put in the hard work at practice, and seeing our training pay off makes it all so rewarding."
Morales was also runner-up in the 400m (State A, 58.86) – and finished sixth in the 200m (26.42).
"I was extremely excited to finally break 60 seconds in the 400m. I've been trying to since junior year, so I'm really proud of myself. My dad was at the meet, so it was nice to share that moment with him."
Windham ran 12.46 in 100m (just shy of the school's all-time Top 10) to place second by 0.7.
"I would say the meet went well overall. Each meet I have been PR'ing in the hundred and my determination grows to hit that 11," Windham said.
"The 4x1 went good and we hit State A mark. These girls work every week to get better and I see it with not only the girls but the whole team."
After a week off, Alvarado returned to form with a fourth-place finish in the 100m (PR, 12.58).
"I was honestly a little nervous about coming back this week," Alvarado said.
"But I came back stronger than ever, hitting a huge personal record in the 100m. It was a real eye-opener for me, showing how taking breaks is okay. Sometimes, it's better to let your body recover than to push through. My goal for next week is to push past my limits."
Freshman Kaylin Mootz continues to impress in the 400m hurdles. Her 1:06.85 hit the State A mark and a runner-up finish.
After the first month of the season, freshman Genesis Mailangi appears to be a front-runner in several field events.
Mailangi produced State A marks in winning shot put (11.48m) and hammer (42.06m).
She also won the javelin (31.42m) and placed fourth in the discus (36.45m).
"I was satisfied with my performance, but I know that there's always more to improve and work on," Mailangi said.
"Going into my next competition, my goal is to be better in terms of attacking each throw.
On the men's side, the 4x100 team (Vincent Nguyen, Lleyton Houston, Kevin Klemm, Fabian Oduk) ran fifth with a State B 42.79. They also earned team points in the 4x400 (3:32.18, sixth).
The Lions' distance runners dominated the 5000m – led by James Estrella (15:39.68, first), Diego Ochoa-Mendez (15:41.47, second) and Giovanni Lancellotti (16:01.72, third)
They were followed by Luis Folkers (16:06.82, fifth), Jack Park (16:07.78, seventh) and Koyo Kai 16:40.35, eighth).
Estrella also won the 1500 with a time of 4:15.49, followed by Lancellotti (4:20.23, second), Ochoa-Mendez (4:20.54, third), Park (4:30.10, seventh) and Jerry Dang (4:33.30, eighth).
Folkers was also runner-up in the 800m (1:59.74).
Freshman Lleyton Houston took third in the 400m (50.01).
In the hammer event, freshman Benjamin Feldstein connected on a State A mark (48.57m, second) and freshman Alex Gurley placed sixth (41.04m).
UP NEXT: De Anza will travel to Santa Rosa for the annual Pat Ryan Invitational (March 14-15).