Mt. SAC track and field was coming into the 2024 spring season to do something exceptional.

After securing back-to-back 3C2A championships, they had the opportunity to three-peat. The feat has not been accomplished since women were eligible to compete for state championships in 1977.

But what did they do to continue to assert themselves as the best?

It was their ability to train consistently but also making sure athletes got the proper amount of rest as well. Their consistency was unmatched, whether it was the actual competition or a matter of staying healthy and ready.

SAC had a united mindset going into the season that helped them keep their focus on the team’s goals. The support from the coaches and athletes carried the team throughout the season and played a huge role in the team’s success.

Sophomore pole vaulter Bailie Horton, explained how she noticed a huge difference in her performance as the season progressed. According to Horton the first and last meet of the season stood out to her the most.

“Once I figured out how to vault for me rather than for the approval of others I noticed a dramatic change with heights that I was able to jump this year,” Horton said.

The first meet of the season allowed the team to get to know one another really well and the last meet gave everyone the chance to display their improvements.

Horton was able to really prove herself at the state meet where she jumped a PR of 3.70–meters.

Distance runner freshman Jude Enriquez, who competed in steeplechase events this season, explained what was important for each meet. He discusses what the team focused on going into the season: Conditioning and mental preparation..

“We always take a week or two off from training right after state so we can kind of just live in that moment for a little bit,” said Enriquez. “Kind of just takes a rest for our bodies and our minds because it’s pretty stressful for a long period of time.”

The team slowly began to prepare for the season ahead of them, afterall, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. They did not want to burn themselves out too quickly into the season.

On February 10, the season opened up with the South Coast Conference opener. SAC started its title defense strong, as the men came away with nine first-place, ten second-place and six third-place finishes.

The women also opened up their title defense strong, notching two first-place, six second-place and five third-place finishes.

This set the tone for SAC as they would continue to remind everyone as to why they were hunting for their third straight state title.

Both teams would sweep multiple events, such as the 100-meter and 200-meter races. Dominating throughout multiple meets, SAC once again put themselves in a position to compete for another state title.

The men cruised through the prelims, as they took 11 events, while the women claimed their dominance by taking first place in their respective prelims.

This led to both the men’s and women’s teams getting their shot once more in the 2024 SCC Finals, where they would continue to slide through the competition, securing 18 first-place finishes with a total of 498.66 points during the event.

After securing their third straight SCC title, they looked ahead to state and secured their third state title.

The state finals was just like another day in the office for SAC, as the men would slide past the competition, getting six first-place finishes. In total, the team gathered 199 points, defeating Riverside City College, who did not even come close as they had 114 points. Notching their 14th title for both the men and women while simultaneously etching themselves in history.

Matthew Donis would place first in two different events, the 1,500 and the 5,000. His 1,500 ended up being a state season-best as he clocked in at 3:49.67.

Enriquez described the feeling of being part of something so unique.

“It was definitely a great feeling, that was kind of the first time I had been part of something that big when it came to sports,” said Enriquez.

Enriquez believes earning the feat was accomplished with ease because of the chemistry the team had. Not just between his teammates but with his coaches as they were there every step of the way.

SAC track and field put in a phenomenal 2024 season, by taking back-to-back-to-back state championships, an accomplishment they look to build off of and continue to expand their state-dominance.