With spring on the horizon, the race toward the Big West championship is on for the league's eight track & field programs. Cal State Northridge is the defending champion on the women's side, while Long Beach State returns as champion on the men's side. While both programs look to repeat, there are plenty of challengers looking to usurp the two clubs from their respective thrones.
CSUN is aiming for its fourth consecutive Big West crown in the 2009 season. The Matadors are led by Desirae Gonder, Shelese Ruffin and Sherrina Lofton on the track side of things and Raquel Sola, Morgan Bogard, Ruffin and Stephanie Ralls on the field ledger. Head coach Don Strametz has depth in his traditionally strong sprinting and throws group, making CSUN the favorite to claim its fourth straight crown.
UC Riverside will be a legitimate threat to CSUN's throne as the Highlanders enter the outdoor season after a solid indoor campaign. UCR returns a strong middle distance core in Brenda Martinez, who is competing in the NCAA Indoor Championships, Ashley Williams, Danielle Evans and Cristina Olivas. The quartet helped the Highlanders finish second a year ago, giving them their best Division I finish at the conference meet since joining the conference. Add in the talents of Jacqulyn Lewis, Alison Wilder and Lauren Reid in the jumps and UCR is poised to take home its first conference title.
The LBSU men have their sights set on back-to-back titles and the third crown in four seasons. Leading the charge is All-America sprinter Brent Gray, Alex Frietas, Nimrod Piggee, Kelsay Ceasar and a host of other talented track athletes. On the field side of the ledger, the title defense may hinge on replacing a slew of talented athletes. Head coach Andy Sythe has already gotten excellent performances from Gabe Rodriguez and Rodney Hawkins and will look for continued excellence out of Colin Cram and Ed Cornell.
The Matador men's contingent looks to reclaim the title it last won in 2007. CSUN possesses a stable of excellent athletes in Reindell Cole, Rolando Felizola, Cody Pearce and Alex Butler in the field lineup. The track athletes are also impressive in the form of Owen Morse, Kevin Nious, Bradley Ike and Kenjamin Jackson. With that impressive lineup in tow, head coach Don Strametz looks to the lead CSUN back to the top of the Big West.