Fonseca sets personal best

   Crossing the finish line in the 1500-meter conference-qualifying race, freshman Reyna Fonseca broke into tears as she realized she had shattered her personal record by 15 seconds.

   "Everyone was cheering and I just let go," Fonseca said.

   When she separated herself from the pack at the 900-meter mark, Head Coach Miriam Mitzel and Fonseca's teammates exchanged surprised glances, knowing it was too early to make a kick to the finish line. 

   Fonseca would be edged out at the finish by one second but was still ecstatic as she was embraced by her team.

   "That was Reyna's best run of the season," Coach Mitzel said.

   It was her first race of the two-day Orange Empire Conference prelims but improving became the standard for Fonseca. 

   She would set personal records in the 800 and 1500, qualifying her for the SoCal prelims in both. 

   "I came in hoping for at least a sixth place finish so I could qualify for the finals. I finished better than that. I am very happy," Fonseca said.

   In her final event, Fonseca ran the 800 in 2 minutes 19.31 seconds, which is the third best time in SAC history. 

   Joining Fonseca in the prelims is Cortnee Kleidon, who qualified in the shot put with a throw of 36 feet 1.5 inches.

   Earlier this year, Kleidon set the third longest mark in SAC history and was ranked near the top of the conference going into the event. 

   Kleidon was not satisfied with any of her initial three throws of the first flight. 

   With her throws completed, Kleidon looked concerned and was left biting her nails as she awaited the final numbers. 

   She qualified in the sixth spot.

   "It was definitely not my best, but I have a chance to redeem myself," said Kleidon. "I had the mind set that I was going to move on but I qualified lower than I should have. It will motivate me to do better in SoCal."

   Achieving a personal best mark was the overall theme for the entire SAC team.

   "Whenever you have a meet you want to treat it as if it is your last race so there is no could have, would have or should have," Coach Mitzel said. 

   Kleidon and Fonseca will be the Dons' only representatives at the SoCal prelim Saturday at Saddleback College.