The weather isn't the only thing heating up this week as three Big West track & field programs ready themselves for home meets against solid competition as part of a busy weekend schedule.
Cal State Northridge, UC Davis and UC Irvine will be the homestanding clubs as the Northridge Invitational, Spring Break Invitational and UC Davis Classic have their turns in the spotlight. The meets will run through the weekend with the Northridge Invitational hosting a multi-event competition Thursday and Friday.
Track Athletes of the Week: Carl Dargitz of Cal Poly and Ciara Short of Cal State Fullerton were honored as the Big West Men’s and Women’s Track Athletes of the Week, respectively. Dargitz, a senior from San Diego finished in first place in the 3000 meter steeplechase in 8:52.61 at the Cal Poly/Fresno State dual meet. The time is a track record and in the top-10 all-time in program history. Short, a junior from San Diego, finished in second place in the 100 meters (12.03) and first in the 200 meters (24.18) at the Northridge Invitational. Both times are the leading marks in the Big West.
Field Athletes of the Week: Derek Cooper of Cal State Northridge and Jasmine Pickett of Cal Poly came away with the Men’s and Women’s Field Athlete of the Week accolades, respectively. Cooper, a senior from Las Vegas, Nev., came within .25 of his career-best in the shot put at the Northridge Invitational after winning the event with an effort of 18-04. Pickett, a junior from Urbana, Ohio, recorded an effort of 42-0.5 to win the triple jump at the dual meet against Fresno State. She also won the long jump with a mark of 18-7.5.
LBSU's Hicks Sets Javelin Record: Randi Hicks’ season started on an impressive note at the Ben Brown Invitational. The junior set personal, Big West, school and meet records with her effort of 170-10. Her previous best was 152-5 and the previous Big West record, held by LBSU alum Kim Heinz, was 169-4.
UCR's Martinez Lands on Bowerman List: UC Riverside's Brenda Martinez landed on the watch list for The Bowerman, the award handed out by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association recognizing the track athlete of the year on both the men's and women’s side. Martinez finds herself on the also receiving mention portion of the preseason list, meaning she can move up to the primary watch list at any point in the season. Martinez is the Big West record holder in the 800 and 1500 and just completed a whirlwind summer circuit which saw her compete in six races across Europe.
Conover Takes over at Poly: Cal Poly will have a new, but familiar, face at the helm of its track program as Mark Conover takes the lead position after Terry Crawford resigned last summer after 18 years at Cal Poly in order to accept a position with USA Track and Field as Director of Coaching. Conover is currently in his 14th season at Cal Poly and has led the Mustangs to 11 consecutive appearances at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, six of those as a team.