After winning back-to-back title on the women’s end and two of the past three championships on the men's side, Cal State Northridge is the coaches favorite to claim the both of the 2008 Big West Track & Field Championships. The Matador women were a near unanimous selection with seven of the eight first place votes on the way to 63 of 64 possible points, while the men’s contingent outlasted Long Beach State for the top spot in a tight race.

The women's voting saw Long Beach State follow the Matadors with 46 points, while UC Santa Barbara (39) and Cal Poly (36) rounded out the top half of the poll. The Highlanders of UC Riverside picked up the lone remaining first place vote on the way to 35 points for fifth place, with conference newcomer UC Davis picked up 32 points for the sixth position. Rounding out the poll were Cal State Fullerton (27) and UC Irvine (10).

Despite losing a number of key competitors, the CSUN women have plenty left in the cupboard as they look to claim their third consecutive championship. Julie Eze, the defending conference champion in the 400 hurdles, Dominique Calvin and Tanisha Cooper look to lead the Matador women to continued success in the track events. All three claimed All-Big West honors after the conference championship a year ago. The field events will also be a strong suit as Candyce Babb, the defending Big West long jump champion, Shelese Ruffin, Krystal Quinn, Bobbie Patton and Raquel Sola return after claiming All-Conference mention at the championship meet a year ago.

Voting on the men's side had Cal Poly (49) following Cal State Northridge and Long Beach State, respectively, for third place. UC Santa Barbara checked in at fourth place with 37 points, while the Aggies of UC Davis were fifth with 35 tallied. Sixth place belonged to Cal State Fullerton with 22 points, while UC Riverside (17) and UC Irvine (14) rounded out the voting.

2007 Big West Field Athlete of the Year and defending NCAA long jump champion DaShalle Andrews leads the CSUN men, who claimed 60 points and five first place votes.  He is part of a contingent that returns seven All-Big West selections and the 4x100-meter champions from last season's conference meet. Long Beach State, the club that won the 2006 Big West Track & Field title, looks to reclaim its title after tallying 54 points and the three remaining first place votes. The conversation starts with the heavily decorated Brent Gray, who won the 100-and 200-meter crowns at the Big West Championships a year ago, was named the conference Track Athlete of the Year and claimed All-America honors after finishing fourth in the 200-meter dash at the NCAA Championships. The 49ers also return solid young sprinter Alex Goldberg, the multitalented Tyson Gray, the defending conference discus champion Rob Jennings and the 4x400-meter relay champions.

2008 Men’s Track & Field Preseason Coaches Poll Results
1. Cal State Northridge (5) - 60
2. Long Beach State (3) - 54
3. Cal Poly - 49
4. UC Santa Barbara - 37
5. UC Davis - 35
6. Cal State Fullerton - 22
7. UC Riverside - 17
8. UC Irvine - 14

2008 Women’s Track & Field Preseason Coaches Poll Results
1. Cal State Northridge (7) - 63
2. Long Beach State - 46
3. UC Santa Barbara - 39
4. Cal Poly - 36
5. UC Riverside (1) - 35
6. UC Davis - 32
7. Cal State Fullerton - 27
8. UC Irvine - 10