Cerritos College track and field athlete Gabriel Hilbert (Kennedy HS) set a new school record in the 800 meters on June 24, but it didn't come in a community college event. The incoming sophomore placed sixth in the first round at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Junior Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, IA with his school-record time of 1:50.84. Hilbert, who won the California Community College state championship in the 1500 meters in May, broke a 46-year-old school record in the 800 meters, eclipsing the old mark of 1:51.54 set by Les Fendia in 1964.

 

    Hilbert's time qualified him for the finals on Friday, where he finished eighth in a time of 1:56.18. Competing unattached, Hilbert finished a close third in his heat in the first round and posted the fifth-fastest time in the round. He was edged out by heat winner Nicholas Kaiser (1:50.13) and finished a close third behind second place finisher Darrin Gibson of Florida State University in a time of 1:50.74.

 

    For the Falcons this season, Hilbert helped the men's team come in third place at the track and field state championships, as he posted a time of 4:04.17 to win the 1500 meter championships. He won the South Coast Conference championship in both the 800 meters and 1500 meters, but failed to qualify for the state championships in the 800 meters.

 

    As a member of the cross country team, Hilbert was a 2nd Team All-SCC selection and finished in 55th place at the state championships with a time of 21:19. Came in 33rd place at the Southern California Championships and placed 13th place in the conference championships.