De Anza Track and Field started out strong with multiple first place finishes at the De Anza Open held at De Anza College on Saturday, Feb. 25.

One standout was sophomore Alyssa Renteria, who placed first in the women’s 3000-meter steeple chase.

This was Renteria’s first steeple chase of the season. She went to the state championship in the event last year.

Renteria said she had issues with the water jump in previous steeple chases.

“I was super nervous the whole morning leading up to the race,” Renteria said. “I was frustrated with my water jumps, but I used that to push myself harder.”

Renteria finished the 3000-meter steeple chase 28 seconds ahead of the second place finisher.

Sophomore Anya Tonga also had a notable finish in the shot put, and she credited her supportive team.

“My team is literally my backbone,” Tonga said. “Most of the time, I throw far for them. I’m captain, too, so I feel the need to set the example, but even when my throws aren’t good, they still cheer me on.”

With the team cheering for Tonga, she earned first place throwing for a distance of 12.63 meters.

“My team is literally my family out on the field and that’s what I love about them” Tonga said.

Sophomore Melissa Borello also won first place in a strong performance in women’s pole vault with a height of 2.80 meters.

Sophomore Joseph Ilaoa beat 25 other throwers in men’s shot put, throwing for 13.71 meters and  first place.

Sophomore Juan Pablo Magana had a close call during the 1,500-meter with a time of four minutes and eight seconds, finishing a second ahead of his closest competitor.

The men’s 4×100 team also won first place with a time of 42.45 seconds.

“It’s always nice to win at home,” Head Coach Nick Mattis said. “The teams that competed were a good test for us and for both teams to win the meet it was a good day.”
The next track event at De Anza is the De Anza Invitational on Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m.