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Brunk, Jones, Whitworth Wrap Up Strong Conference Seasons
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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} The Chico State Wildcat men’s and women’s team both claimed titles at the 2011 CCAA Track and Field Championships held May 5-7 at host Stanislaus State University. John Brunk, left, of Oakdale placed second in the decathlon and is shown here receiving CCAA All-Conference honors with third place Michael Beeman of Escalon, right, and first place Chico teammate Talor Fulfer. - photo by PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN BRUNK

Oakdale High graduates John Brunk, Alanna Jones and Austin Whitworth have seen a whirlwind of success this spring with their respective athletic programs at the college level. All have emerged as top performers, among the best athletes in their conferences.

 

John Brunk

The Chico State sophomore was seeded just fourth in the two-day, 10-event decathlon entering last week’s California Collegiate Athletic Association championships at Stanislaus State, but landed some huge marks to finish second in an event that saw Chico finish first, second, third and fourth in the conference.

With Brunk just behind senior teammate Talor Fulfer and just ahead of junior teammate Michael Beeman (of Escalon), Chico nabbed 28 points from that event and rallied to 237 total in a landslide to claim the eighth straight CCAA title for the Wildcat men.

In decathlon scoring, Brunk was first in the long jump (20 feet, 10 inches), and ended second in the 100-meter, 400, 1500 and high jump. He also finished fourth in the discus, fifth in the javelin, fifth in the pole vault, sixth in the 110 hurdles and sixth in the shot put.

He earned CCAA All-Conference honors and an NCAA Championship qualifying mark, ranking 16th nationally. He will take on take on the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 26 at Stan State.

 

Alanna Jones

The 2010 Oakdale grad and true freshman at Davis & Elkins College nabbed All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference recognition (honorable mention) after a thrilling first season that saw her explode onto the college scene.

She emerged as the Senators’ top pitcher and finished second in the conference with 202 strikeouts in 157.2 innings pitched. Jones managed a sterling 2.84 earned run average and 15-8 record this season.

She averaged nine strikeouts a start and led D&E in nearly every pitching statistic across the board.

She is expected to return home for the summer on Thursday.

 

Austin Whitworth

Whitworth’s first season at the college level has been spectacular. He led Modesto Junior College golfers with an average of just over 75 strokes per 18 holes, and shot a two-under par 70 at the Brookside Country Club to win the Big-8 tournament.

Whitworth snared All-Big 8 honors and qualified for Monday’s NorCal Championships at the Diablo Grande Golf Course, though results were not available at press time.

 

Kevin Brunk contributed to this report.