By Rick Eymer
Roman Skovronski hopes to make his final lap on the track at College of San Mateo a memorable one. The San Mateo resident is one of the top 400 meter hurdle runners in the nation and this weekend could be his time to shine.
The California Community College state track comes to CSM this weekend for the first time since 2009. Skovronski and thrower Evan McDaniel have the best chance to bring home an individual title.
Skovronski raced a personal best 52.32 in winning last weekend’s Northern California 400 hurdles title. That’s the third fastest time in the state this year, and seventh best in the nation. It’s also a CSM record.
McDaniel won the NorCal shot put title with a heave of 57-2 3/4. His best effort of 58-4 leads the nation among community colleges athletes.
Other CSM athletes who qualified for the state meet include Collin Luu in the discus, Scott Chisea and Anthony Capitulo in the javelin, Moreen Pahulu in the javelin and shot put and Brenda Navarro in the 100.
Bulldogs track and field coach Joe Mangan hopes for a top 10 finish for the men. They were seventh at the NorCal meet.
Laney College hopes to repeat as women’s state champs and has several quality athletes who can help make that happen, including hurdler Erica Wilson and sprinter Khadija Suleman, who will continue her track and field career at Mississipi next year.
Skovronski said he was working on a modified race model for the state.
“It gives me a little more intensity,” Skovronski said. “I need to get out of the blocks a little more aggressively.”
Skovronski moved to San Mateo while he was in high school and continued to attend Newark Memorial, becoming one of the few people who had an easier commute to college than to high school.
“I definitely needed these two years here,” Skovronski said. “I have built more of a foundation and helped me mature mentally and physically.”
Skovronski has yet to decide where he’s going to college, keeping his options open.
Wilson has put a dancing career on hold while she continues to excel in the 100 hurdles, an event in which she leads the nation. She went 13.39 last week, a NorCal meet record.
Wilson has been involved with ballet since she was seven and still hopes to have a career after her track and field days are over.
“My intention was to run two good years, get recruited and go somewhere,” Wilson said. “I’m an academics person too.”
Suleman, among the national leaders acknowledged she wasn’t the most disciplined of student-athletes while at Antioch High and credits Laney coach Curtis Taylor for her success.
“He made me a better person,” Suleman said. “I’m grateful I came to Laney. It’s made a big impact on me.”
The state meet begins at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
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