Horner’s First-Place Finish Reveals Season-Long Progress

By Brandon Petersen

It's always awesome to see a Westcliff track and field athlete's name listed atop a results leaderboard. 

In the case of sprinter Harrison Horner, who won the Men's 400M Dash at the Team 4 Titus and Ely Invitational at Concordia last weekend, it's even more rewarding considering the journey it took to get there. 

"Harrison has come a very long way," Westcliff track and field head coach Ty Blanchard said. "I remember the first practice I had with Harrison — I knew he had a lot of talent that needed to be unleashed.

"He has a gift that I am now blessed to coach and allow him to showcase his fullest potential."

Following that first week of practice, Blanchard pulled Harrison aside and told him, "I will have you go 49 (seconds) by the end of this season and we will get to nationals."

Horner took first place at CUI with a Westcliff record-breaking mark of 49.90-seconds. He shaved a second and a half off of his previous school record in a week. For context, CUI's Josiah Chin finished a second and a half behind Horner, good for fourth overall. 

Fourth place to first place. That's how big a leap Horner took in seven days.

"We had a few ups and down this season," Blanchard said. "But the overall goal was to get to nationals and we have already checked one of two goals off our list. The hard work that was needed from the Massachusetts native was more than I could have asked for.

"Harrison's ability to lock in and take in what is given to him during the week of training, and then put it all together on the day that matters most, is why he is the way he is now — spectacular and motivated."

Pool workouts. Hill workouts. Practices at 6 a.m. Whatever it was, whenever it was, Horner was there for it, and he put in the work.

"The hunger I see in his eyes before the gun goes off — the focus he has during warmups," Blanchard said. "He reminds me a lot of myself back in my college days, and I smile knowing that what is about to come next is all his work, and his only."

Blanchard metaphorically refers to the season as a 400M dash. Horner is currently in the last 50 meters.

"We are entering the final stretch," Blanchard said. "Harrison is giving his last ounce of effort every single rep. The vision and goal is reachable for him, and I see it. 

"He deserves it, so we will go and get it."

A Brand New Baller on the Scene

You may be familiar with the name Esmeray Demirbas, but probably more around the hardwood than the track.

After the women's basketball season ended, Demirbas joined the team and has been a dream to work with according to Blanchard. 

Last weekend at CUI, Demirbas finished the 100M dash with a mark of 13.46, and the 200 with a time of 28.73. 

"Her growth and willingness to be better every day puts her in amazing positions like she had on Saturday," Blanchard said. "First meet under her belt, and she has already zoomed in closer to school records that were broken before her arrival. 

"She has amazing energy, which give her the extra drive she needs. I cannot wait to see what this young woman can do when the smoke clears by the end of the season. Watch out, everyone."

Also on the women's side, Alex Juarez finished the women's 1500M with a time of 8:00.71, and the 800 with a mark of 3:44.80.

"I am so proud of our distance runner, Alex," Blanchard said. "She practices and trains so hard, and has the best attitude and grit possible. 

"She lets no one steer her away from finishing and competing. She is a team player, and a dependable role model to others.

"The three-sport athlete is doing her thing. She continues to impress, not just herself, and her teammates, but the staff and university as well."

Villegas Takes on a Leadership Role

Westcliff frosh jumper Alexandro Villegas continued to improve in the triple jump over the weekend. 

On Saturday, Villegas hit a mark of 11.98M. 

Coach Blanchard was quick to sing his praises afterward. 

"He is an athlete every coach dreams of," Blanchard said. "He is patient, fearless, ambitious and, most importantly, coachable.

"He tends to weights on time, he takes care of his body off the track, he is honest when he is struggling and needs help, and is optimistic to the fullest."

Blanchard says that in the past few weeks, he has made some changes to Villegas' steps and phases in the triple jump. The work took some time to reveal its purpose, but Villegas took the process head on. 

"He had a great attitude about it," Blanchard said. "Stepping into the light when it's his time to shine — man, he lets it shine."

Blanchard says that Villegas is now taking on a leadership role, passing down the new triple tactics he learned to other athletes.

Catching Up with Abel

Westcliff star high jumper Abel Rendon did what Abel Rendon does last weekend at CUI, topping the leaderboard once again, this time with a jump of 1.85M.

Rendon needs to clear a 2.01 to qualify for the nationals by season's end. 

"We have hit a minor bump in the road because of the length of the season," Blanchard said. "It's time to revisit the drawing board one last time and put these pieces together, get to where we know we need to be, and stay there.

"We will go to nationals, however, patience is our problem right now. But it's OK, there is still a lot of season left, and a lot of jumping in us left. 

"I believe in Abel, and I still see in him the same excitement and drive he had on Day 1 of practice. I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet and neither should he."

Up Next

In the coming weeks, Blanchard hopes to secure a couple of nationals bids and the Warriors will have plenty of opportunity to do so. 

Still remaining are the West Coast Relays this week in Fresno and the Bryan Clay Invite as Azusa Pacific April 14th and 15th. 

In two weeks, the Warriors travel to Whittier for their Twilight meet. 

The California Pacific Conference Championships will be held April 27th and 28th at Soka in Aliso Niguel.