NORWALK -- Cal State LA's men's track and field team had some outstanding performances Saturday in the Golden Eagles' 2022 season opener at the Cerritos Invitational.

Darnelle Harris won a pair of events to highlight the day for the Golden Eagles, who also got victories from Leon Tafirenyika, Xavier Williams and the 4x400 relay team. 

Harris, a newcomer from Long Beach City College, won the 100 meters in 10.68 and the 200 in 21.53 in his Cal State LA debut.

"I felt like it's just the beginning shaking off three years of rust from not competing," Harris said. "I had 2 new Pr's while not running at my best so I'm just gonna keep working hard and get back into my rhythm. I feel like we have a lot of talent on this team, we just have to keep working hard to reach our individual goals."

Tafirenyika won the 400 in 48.53 and Williams was victorious in the 400 hurdles with a time of 56.58.The 4x400 relay team of Shingirai Hlanguyo, Jesus Nichol II, Harris and Tafirenyika won with a time of 3:20.50. Williams was also second in the 110 high hurdles with a time of 14.91.

"I thought I did really well," Williams said. "I've been training and lifting weights like crazy so I felt really strong. I PR'd and ran my fastest 110m hurdle time in college even after being off the track for two years so I'm proud!"

Hlanguyo finished second in the 200 with a time of 21.62. He won his heat and had the second-fastest time, narrowly behind Harris.

Timothy Mates was third in the 110 hurdles for the Golden Eagles with a time of 15.13.

Said head coach Tina Fernandes: "We had no expectation going in because almost everyone had not competed between two to three years or it was their first collegiate meet.  We love competing at Cerritos because it is fast and the meet is always well run.  We wanted our team to feel at home and just go out to get a feel of competing again. I thought we had a good start and great promise for the future. The team is hungry to get back to work, but the key is for everyone to stay healthy.  We will do amazing things this season if we're healthy."

Cal State LA will return to action next weekend when the Golden Eagles host the Cal State LA Invitational.

CERRITOS INVITATIONAL
Saturday's Results
Cal State LA
100 -- 1. Darnelle Harris 10.68; 13. Anthony Richardson 11.49; 17. Sean Atkins 11.73; 21. Earlee Buchanan 11.95; 25. Lam Nguyen 12.05
200 -- 1. Darnelle Harris 21.53; 2. Shingirai Hlanguyo 21.62; 33. Tyrel Mitchell 23.38; 37. Kyle Friesen 23.86; 39. Sean Atkins 23.97; 43. Lam Nguyen 24.19
400 -- 1. Leon Tafirenyika 48.53; 24. Tyrel Mitchell 55.00; 25. Kyle Friesen 55.46; 30. Jeremiah Curls 58.42
800 -- 8. Donavan Williams 2:04.68
1500 -- 10. Daniel Gonzalez 4:28.62
110 Hurdles -- 2. Xavier Williams 14.91; 3. Timothy Mates 15.13
400 Hurdles -- 1. Xavier Williams 56.58
4x400 Relay -- 1. Cal State LA (Shingirai Hlanguyo, Jesus Nichol II, Darnelle Harris, Leon Tafirenyika) 3:20.50; 6. Cal State LA (Marquel Angelo, Donavan Williams, Johnathon Peels, Jeremiah Curls) 3:43.99
Long Jump -- 14. Myles Molette-Hughes 19-2.75; 18;. Sean Atkins 18-11.25; 22. Jaylen Park 18-5.25; 26. Lam Nguyen 17-11.75
Triple Jump -- 6. Myles Molette-Hughes 45-0.25; 14. Lam Nguyen 39-3.75