Three schools were represented in the Big West Track and Field Athlete of the Week awards based on performances at the Big West Challenge.
Cal State Fullerton senior Mason Rollins (Bakersfield, Calif./Mira Monte HS) earned Big West Men’s Track Athlete of the Week honors as he helped the Titans take second place overall at the Big West Challenge. Rollins posted a pair of first place finishes. He won the 100 meters in 10.45 seconds and the 200 meters in a time of 21.28. He is the Big West leader in both events. He also contributed to the 4x100 meter relay, helping the quartet place second in 40.79. His 100m time ranks him 31st in the West Region.
UC Santa Barbara senior Hope Bender (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor HS) notched Big West Women’s Track Athlete of the Week accolades as she scored big points in three events at the Big West Challenge. She won both the 100 meter hurdles (13.59) and 400 meter hurdles (59.60), while taking fourth in the 100 meter dash. Her 100 hurdles time ranks No. 2 in the Big West and 31st in the West Region. She’s even better in the 400 hurdles, ranking No. 1 in the conference and 21st in the west.
Long Beach State senior Kemonie Briggs (Long Beach, Calif./Texas Tech) collected his second Big West Men’s Field Athlete of the Week award this season as he surpassed the meet record for the long jump in the Big West Challenge set by his former teammate, NCAA two-time All-American Willie Alexander. It was a wind-aided effort of 25-04.75 (+2.4), but still impressive nonetheless as he earned the victory and helped LBSU claim the meet title over defending Big West champion Cal State Fullerton. He also had success in the 4x100 relay (40.71, first place), 400 meters (47.34, 2nd place) and 4x400 relay (3:15.23, 4th place). Briggs contributed a total of 16 individual points and helped his team in another 14 points through relays. Briggs is ranked No. 8 in the West Region for the long jump.
UC Santa Barbara junior Cassidy Peng (La Verne, Calif./Bonita HS) secured Big West Women’s Field Athlete of the Week accolades with an impressiive triple at the Big West Challenge. She finished in first place in both the triple jump (39-09.25) and pole vault (12-05.50), while coming in second place in the long jump (19-05.25). She ranks in the top five in the Big West in all three events.
Others nominated (Men’s Track): Koty Burton (Long Beach State); Brandon Jetter (UC Davis)
Others nominated (Women’s Track): Trinity Ruelas (Cal State Fullerton); Courtne’ Davis (Long Beach State); Kirsten Carter (UC Davis)
Others nominated (Men’s Field): Drake Foote (UC Davis); Jack Pickard (UC Irvine); Kordell Hampton (UC Santa Barbara)
Others nominated (Women’s Field): Naiah Boardingham (Cal State Fullerton); Stasia Kubicki (UC Davis); Barbara Coward (UC Irvine)