Posted: Mar 23, 2024

Abraham Valenzuela sets qualifier in the 5,000 meters at Willie Williams Invitational

Sophomore Abraham Valenzuela set a qualifier in the 5,000 meters with a time of 14:23.24 while fellow sophomore Jacques Jones improved on a previously set qualifier in the Long Jump with a leap of 7.63 meters (25-0.5). Photos by Ray Suarez and Stephanie van Latum

The Pima Community College men's track & field competed at the Willie Williams Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Roy P. Drachman Stadium hosted by the University of Arizona.

Sophomore Abraham Valenzuela (Palo Verde HS) set an NJCAA national qualifying time in his second event as he took first place in the 5,000-meter race with a time of 14 minutes, 23.24 seconds. He surpassed Craig Curley's record (14:23.26) for the second spot in school history. He is now just chasing former teammate Joel Gardner's record from last season, set at 14:12.84.
Sophomore Jacques Jones (Mountain Pointe HS) improved on his national qualifying mark in the Long Jump as he took fourth place with a leap of 7.63 meters (25-feet, 0.5-inches). His previous mark was 7.42 meters (24-4.25-inches). His mark put him third in school history.

The Aztecs will compete in the ACCAC Conference Championships on Friday held at Paradise Valley Community College.

See complete results of the Willie Williams Invitational