Five Hartnell runners scholarship bound

Adam Alnazer became the latest Hartnell College track standout to land a scholarship, signing with Western Oregon University.

Alnazer, a Monterey High grad, was fifth in the state this past spring for the Panthers in the 800, clocking 1:55.52. He will go to Western Oregon with a career best of 1:54.50.

Distance ace Ricky Esqueda will run track and cross country next year at Western State in Gunnison, Colorado. Last fall the San Benito alum won the Northern California cross country title for Hartnell and was fifth in the state in the 10,000 (31.42.00).

Oscar Mora is headed to CSU-East Bay in Hayward to run cross country and track. A two-time all conference runner for the Panthers in cross country, the former North County product qualified for the state track meet this past spring in the 5,000.

Last month one-time North Salinas distance ace Christan Aldape signed with Humboldt State to run cross country and track. Aldape was a part of the Panthers Northern California men’s cross country title team, which finished fifth in the state.

In addition, two-time state long jump qualifier Haley Romero committed to Fresno Pacific. Last spring she was fifth in the state in the long jump and eighth in the triple jump for the Panthers.

Romero is sixth on the Panthers all-time list in the long jump with a mark of 18-9 3/4. She's also sixth all-time in the 100 hurdles (15.08).