College of the Redwoods will send eight athletes on to the NorCal community college track and field championships in Modesto this coming weekend, after a strong showing at Saturday’s Golden Valley Conference championships.

The CR men’s team placed third in conference with five first-place finishes, led by sophomore Earl Buchanon.

The CR standout sprinter took first place in both the 100 meters and 200m, as well being a part of the 4×100 relay team, which also placed first.

Freshman Grant Van Emmerick, out of Ferndale High, was also first home in the 400m.

“It was a great showing with all athletes showing up and pushing their performance limits,” CR head coach Reed Elmore said.

Buchanon rounded out a big day individually with a third-place finish in the 400m.

The sophomore from Eastside High in Lancaster will represent CR at the NorCals in both the 100m and 200m, as well as in the 4×100 relay.

Van Emerick will represent the Corsairs in the 400m.

On the women’s side, sophomore Maria Overton took first place in the 10K, as well as second in both the 1500m and 5000m, and fourth in the 800m.

Overton will go on to the NorCals in the 10K.

Fellow sophomore Savannah Henninger also qualified for the NorCals in the shot put after posting a PR in the event on Saturday and inching closer to her ultimate goal.

“She took a step closer to her goal of making it to the state meet,” Elmore said.

Freshman Olivia Dillard, a Fortuna High grad, also will go on to the NorCals in both the hammer and discus.

Another former Husky, sophomore Jarid Jorgensen also had a big day at the conference meet, placing first in the men’s hammer and second in the discus.

“I am so proud of the team. They came together and compete,” Elmore said. “We were scrappy and stepped up to all the challenges. It was great to watch.”

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Ray Hamill writes at humboldtsports.com, where you can read lots more about sports in Humboldt County.