The Cal/Nevada Championships stand out in a busy week for Big West track & field as schedule’s final weekend of March beckons.
The Cal/Nevada meet will be held in Westwood this year on the campus of UCLA. The event attracts some of the best programs in the two states for a highly competitive competition. All but two of the league’s track programs will head to Westwood for the Saturday/Sunday event.
CSF Claims Three Athlete of the Week Honors: Cal State Fullerton won three of the track & field weekly awards as Ciara Short won the Women’s Track Athlete of the Week, Julius Joseph claimed the Men’s Field Athlete of the Week honor and Jameena Hunt took home Women’s Field Athlete of the Week accolades. Short was second in the 200 meters (24.10), third in the 400 meters (53.69) and ran the first leg of the winning 4x100 relay team at the Trojan Invite. Joseph recorded a first place finish in the discus (152-08), third in the hammer (187-04) and seventh in the shot (51-3.5) at same meet, while his teammate Hunt picked up a pair of fifth place showings in the hammer (178-02) and discus (155-05). Her hammer effort was a school record by over 10 feet.
Jock Blazes Way Into Record Books: Charles Jock of UC Irvine had a solid meet at the Spring Break Invitational, etching his name into the Anteater record books. Jock won the 800 with a time of 1:48.42, a time only bested in UCI lore by the legendary Steve Scott’s 1:47.6 in 1978. Jock also anchored the winning 4x400 relay contingent to wrap up the meet. Jock claimed Big West Track Athlete of the Week honors for his efforts.
O’Boyle to Enter Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame: UC Irvine head track and field/cross country coach Vince O’Boyle has been selected for induction into the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame. O’Boyle will be inducted along with two-time Olympic medalist John Godina (throws) and Toby Stevenson, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the pole vault. The induction ceremony will take place at the 52nd annual Mt. SAC Relays Banquet at the Pacific Palms Conference Resort in the City of Industry April 14 at 6:00 p.m. O’Boyle has been involved with the Mt. SAC Relays for the past 47 years, first as a runner for Monrovia High School in 1963 and later for Citrus College and Cal Poly Pomona, and as a coach at Citrus College and UCI.
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 completed a whirlwind summer circuit which saw her compete in six races across Europe.