Freshman Thrower Jordan Palmer Named WSC co-Field Athlete of the Year

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

College of the Canyons freshman Jordan Palmer has been named the Western State Conference (WSC) co-Field Athlete of the Year after a season in which he won conference and regional titles in the shot put.

Palmer, who also played center on COC's football team in the fall, burst onto the track & field scene in a big way this season.

The burly freshman won the WSC shot put title with a throw of 14.94m (49' 0.25") back in April. Prior to that Palmer claimed first place at all three WSC meets this season, progressing in distance each time out.

At the CCCAA Southern California Championships Palmer claimed an individual regional title in the same event with his throw of 16.02m (52' 6.75") which represented a then-personal best.

Palmer entered the CCCAA State Championships with the No. 2 ranked throw in the state and did not disappoint, eventually finishing runner up at the meet. He recorded a mark of 15.20m (49' 10.5") on his second throw to ultimately finish just six inches off the distance recorded by state champion Brenden Coffey (15.35m/50' 4.5") of Butte College.

Palmer also fared well when competing against athletes from four-year schools. He placed 12th in the shot put event (13.67m/44' 10.25") at the Cal State Long Beach 'Beach Opener' meet on March 2. He was also fourth (14.00m/ 45' 11.25") at the Oxy Distance Carnival hosted by Occidental College a week later and 13th at the UCLA Rafer Johnson & Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational (14.99m/49'2.25").

While the bulk of his season highlights came in the shot put, Palmer also excelled in the discus event. He finished second at the WSC Championships with a throw of 44.64m (146' 5") behind sophomore Jacob Whitby of Bakersfield College. Palmer later finished fourth (43.64m/143'2") at the Southern California regional meet and 11th at the CCCAA State Championships.

Whitby and Palmer will share co-Field Athlete of the Year honors. 

In the fall, Palmer was an All-Southern California Football Association (SCFA) Second-Team honoree for his work on the offensive line.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

Photo by Jacob Velarde/COC Sports Information