A couple of big time local meets dot the schedule for the Big West Track & Field programs as the league continues to prepare for the conference meet which is just a month away.
One of the top meets in Southern California is on the agenda as athletes from the collegiate and professional ranks gather in Drake Stadium on the campus of UCLA for the Jackie Joyner Kersee/Rafer Johnson Invitational. The meet will have a multi-event competition on Thursday and Friday as well as individual events Friday and Saturday. Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge will represent the Big West at the prestigious event named for the former international track stars.
UC Irvine will host several Big West teams as the Big West Challenge comes on the docket. The Anteaters are joined by Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara in Anteater Stadium for the annual battle of league schools a month before the Conference Championships.
A trio of schools will also send contingents to Arizona as Cal State Northridge, UC Davis and UC Riverside are set to compete in the 31st annual Sun Angel Track Classic hosted by Arizona State. The two-day event attracts some of the best track athletes from all levels to the desert for competition.
CSUN's Cole, CSF's Hunt Claim Titles at Major Meets: A pair of the nation's largest meets took place last weekend and two Big West athletes claimed individual titles among the talented fields. Reindell Cole of Cal State Northridge won the long jump (25-5.25) at the Clyde Little Texas Relays, while Jameena Hunt (168-10)of Cal State Fullerton won the discus at the Florida Relays. Cole's showing was a season-best, while Hunt's effort is the top mark in the league and seventh in the West Region.
UCSB's Smith Joins Record Ranks: UC Santa Barbara’s Scott Smith etched his name into Big West lore two weeks ago by setting a new standard in the 10,000-meter run. The senior ran the event in 28:35, breaking the old mark of 28:43.76 set by Dan Gonzalez of former Big West member San Jose State. The record was one of the oldest men’s records in league history as Gonzalez established the mark in 1985 and also shattered the UCSB school record by over 30 seconds.
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. She also ran the fastest 800 in the NCAA in her first race of the 2010 outdoor season.