Fresno State Athletics
Track and Field Readies for More Relays
4/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
April 15, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. -
Women's Track and Field Complete Release in PDF Format
Men's Track and Field Complete Release in PDF Format
Up Next
Fresno State takes this week off after hosting two big meets the past two weekends. The Bulldogs continue action, Saturday, April 20, with the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.. The San Antonio College Relays is one of the top track and field meets in the country. Typically it showcases athletes from around the nation and the world.
Last Year at Mt. SAC
The Bulldogs had to face tough competition at the Mt. SAC Relays last year. Participants originated from countries such as Brazil, Jamaica and Mexico, as well as club teams, including Nike, Reebok and adidas.
2002 Stanislaus Open
In an unexpected meet this past weekend, the Bulldogs came together to record some personal-bests at the Cal State Stanislaus Open. Perhaps the most impressive performance came from sophomore Katie Christianson. The sprint and jump specialist came through with two personal-best, including a 5-0 jump in the high jump and a leap of 17-9.5 in the long jump. She won both events. Also, junior Tiffany Simon won two events, as she set a personal-best time of 57.11 in the 400 meters and went 25.11 in the 200.
Danger, Simmons
Five events. Normally five events defines a pentathlete. However, the difference is junior Crystal Simmons does it her way. This season she is competing in the triple, long and high jumps, the 100-meter hurdles and the 4x100-meter relay. And she does it with style. Her rainbow colored socks and wing-tipped spikes are giving life to her busy feet. She recently, set a Fresno State record in the long jump with a leap of 20-5 1/2. She is ranked 12th in the nation and first in the WAC in the long jump(20-5.50). She is also 20th in the nation and first in the WAC in the triple jump(42-2.75).
Seven Days a Wiech(mann)
Senior April Wiechmann is also no stranger to competing in five events. However, she does it in the ring, on the runway and in the air. The thrower competes in the hammer, discus, javelin, shot put and high jump. Her personal-best hammer throw of 186-8 is a NCAA provisional mark and leads the team. Wiechmann also leads the team in the discus at 162-5.
It's Crystal Clear
There are two student-athletes on the squad this season with a first name of Crystal. The first is Simmons, a woman who owns the Fresno State outdoor record in the triple jump with a leap of 42-10 1/4 and the long jump record of 20-5 1/.2. She leads the team in all three jumps. The second Crystal is freshman Crystal Phillips. She ranks fourth in the WAC in the 200 meters at 24.31.
It's Not June Yet, Or is it?
She returned on Friday, March 29, to continue her reign in the steeplechase. Sophomore Kara June added another record to her collection as she became the first Cal-Nevada Champion in the event. She easily won with her time of 11:05.27 and in fact could have crossed sooner. Her personal-best is 10:53.83. At the Relays, she finished second in the 3,000 meters in 10:15.04, which leads the team.
WAC Athletes of the Week
Fresno State's most recent Western Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week is junior Crystal Simmons. Simmons earned the honor after she was named Outstanding Female Performer of the 2002 Cal-Nevada Championships. Earlier, freshman Crystal Phillips took the honor for the week of March 18.
A Look Back at Indoors
It was nearly a sweep for the 'Dogs this indoor season, taking first in two of three invitationals. The women finished in second place at the Bill Cosby Invitational. FS collected 142 points, significantly fewer than host Nevada, which earned 201.45. However the count for the Bulldogs was more than double that of any other team, including California's score of 67.50. Earlier in the month, the 'Dogs defeated both Northern Arizona and UC Irvine at NAU, Feb. 2. Finally, the team captured first at the Air Force Elite Invitational, Jan. 26, with 126 points.
Head Coach Bob Fraley
Head coach Bob Fraley returns for his second season at the helm of the Bulldogs. He also holds the position of Director of Track and Field. When he isn't busy serving as an administrator, Fraley is in charge of the pole vaulting, jumps, hurdles and men's sprint crews. Prior to his current engagement, Fraley was the coach for the women's team, including the 1994 WAC Champions. Along with 20 years of coaching Fresno State's program, Fraley is also heading a new project called the "Center of Excellence" program which will assist Fresno State student-athletes, after they exceed their eligibility, to obtain professional careers in coaching or the like. In addition, he has been a Pole Vault Summit Director, including the 2002 summit.
2002 WAC Outdoor Championships
Rice is the host for the WAC Outdoor Championships in Dallas, Texas. Events begin Wednesday, May 15, through Sat., May 18.
2002 Outdoor Leaders (As of April 15, 2002)
Event Athlete
100 Meters Ocie Parks (11.79), Crystal Phillips (12.00), Taanasha Ricks (12.63) 200 Meters Crystal Phillips (24.31), Crystal Simmons (24.58), Ocie Parks (24.27), Tiffany Simon (25.00), Raynisha Bragg (25.08), Katie Christianson (25.01) 400 Meters Raynisha Bragg (57.02), Tiffany Simon (57.11), Jennifer Tyler (58.78) 800 Meters Stacy Esquivel (2:14.67), Jennifer Tyler (2:17.31), Nicolin Neal (2:38.23), Megan Netzel (2:51.31) 1,500 Meters Kara June (4:38.27), Stacy Esquivel (4:42.07), Stacy Aurit (5:07.88), Andrea Osteen (5:44.44) 3,000 Meters Kara June (10:15.04), Nicolin Neal (10:54.83), Stacy Aurit (11:02.59) Steeplechase Kara June (11:05.27), Nicolin Neal (11:54.09), Megan Netze, (14:17.11) 5,000 Meters Andrea Osteen (21:01.99), Asusena Garcia (21:17.61) Hurdles Crystal Simmons (100-14.09), Domonique Harper (100-14.95, 400-1:13.12), Joni Landua (100-15.22, 400-1:04.73) High Jump Crystal Simmons (5-6), Jenny Moore (5-5.75), April Wiechmann (5-5), Katie Christianson (5-0) Long Jump Crystal Simmons (20-5 1/2), Katie Christianson (17-9.5) Jenny Moore (17-7) Triple Jump Crystal Simmons(42-2 3/4), Jenny Moore (39-5) Pole Vault Bergann Hernandez(12-2), Leah Horowitz (11-0 1/4), Lexine Lesser (10-6 1/4) Shot Put Kristin Schelir (45-11 1/4), Andrea Stelter (45-00), April Wiechmann (44-2 1/4) Discus April Wiechmann (162-5), Kristin Schelir (155-4), Christina Weaver (149-8), Lisa Krauter (133-2 1/4) Javelin Kayla Russum (155-2), April Wiechmann (144-0) Hammer April Wiechmann (186-8), Andrea Stelter (176-0), Kristin Schelir (161-8), Christina Weaver (158-5)
MEN'S RELEASE
Up Next
Fresno State takes this week off after hosting two big meets the past two weekends. The Bulldogs continue action, Saturday, April 20, with the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.. The San Antonio College Relays is one of the top track and field meets in the country. Typically it showcases athletes from around the nation and the world.
Last Year at Mt. SAC
The Bulldogs had to face tough competition at the Mt. SAC Relays last year. Participants originating from countries such as Brazil, Jamaica and Mexico, as well as club teams, including Nike, Reebok and adidas. Overall, the Bulldogs had five first place finishes, along with some other notable performances. Then junior Kyrah Ayers, captured first place in both the long and triple jumps with leaps of 23-6 and 48-2. Also, juniors Mark Unzueta and Roberto Vaca took first in their events. Unzueta was tops in the pole vault at 16-6, while Vaca crossed the line in the steeplechase with a time of 9:35.09.
2002 Stanislaus Open
In an unexpected meet this past weekend, the Bulldogs came together to record some personal-bests at the Cal State Stanislaus Open. Perhaps the most impressive performance came from senior Mike Guidry, who improved his discus throw by nearly seven feet. Guidry threw 184-1 to raise his level from a 177-1, achieved more than a year ago. Also noteworthy is the vault from freshman Russell Weaver. He soared to 16-0 t o improve from 15-7.25. He leads the WAC in the event. Freshman Chris Berrian had a personal-best day as well, when he posted two new times in the 200 and 400 meters. His times of 21.70 and 49.97 both lead the squad.
Don't Miss Mason or Ogilvie
Juniors Alex Mason and Philip Ogilvie are leading the pack for the Bulldogs this past weekend in the middle distance events. Mason has the nod in the 800 meters with a time of 1:51.23. Ogilvie is strides ahead in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:54.26. Mason currently leads the WAC with his time in the 800.
Here We Go Now, Jump
The triple jump continues to be a consistent top notch performance area for the 'Dogs. The foursome of Archie, Ayers and the Carano brothers have consistently done well in the long and triple jumps. At the 2002 Cal-Nevada Championships, the foursome all advanced to the finals. Archie, Kevin and Kyrah finished one-two-three in the event, while Kyle was fifth. Archie popped to 50-10 1/4, Kevin went 50-1 3/4, Ayers landed at 49-6 1/2, while Kyle skipped to 48-10 3/4. All four marks were personal-bests. Archie and Ayers also competed in the finals of the long jump. Archie was sixth with a season-best 23-7 1/4, while Ayers followed in seventh with 23-4 1/2.
So., Fresh.
Sophomore Chad Seiler and freshman Chris Berrian are getting out the blocks on time for the 'Dogs. Seiler leads the team in the 100 with a time of 10.71, seventh in the WAC. Berrian is taking care of business in the 200 and 400 meter events. He boasts a time of 21.70 in the 100 and 49.97 in the 400.
Don't Look Down, Look Up
All eyes should be looking at the sky when the four throwers enter the stage. Sophomores Joe Vasquez and Shlomi Ben-Shushan, senior Mike Guidry and freshman Javon Kemp lead the Bulldogs in the throwing events. Vasquez has the honor in the shot put at 53-8.25. Guidry is the man in the discus at 184-1, Ben-Shushan is the leader in the hammer with a distance of 188-4 and Kemp speared owns a PR of 178-8 in the javelin.
How We Did Indoors
The 'Dogs ended the indoor season well with a highlighted first place performance at the Bill Cosby Invitational, Saturday, Feb. 9. The team collected a season-high 170.5 points in the victory. Previously, the men split their double-dual meet at NAU, defeating UC Irvine (100-45), but losing to NAU (80-78). Fresno State opened the year with a seventh place finish and 40.5 points at the Air Force Elite Invitational, Jan. 25-26.
Head Coach Bob Fraley
Head coach Bob Fraley returns for his second season at the helm of the Bulldogs. He also holds the position of Director of Track and Field. When he isn't busy serving as an administrator, Fraley is in charge of the pole vaulting, jumps, hurdles and men's sprint crews. Prior to his current engagement, Fraley was the coach for the women's team, including the 1994 WAC Champions. Along with 20 years of coaching Fresno State's program, Fraley is also heading a new project called the "Center of Excellence" program which will assist Fresno State student-athletes, after they exceed their eligibility, to obtain professional careers in coaching or the like. In addition, he has been a Pole Vault Summit Director, including the 2002 summit.
2002 WAC Championships
Rice is the host for the WAC Outdoor Championships in Dallas, Texas. Events begin Wednesday, May 15, through Sat., May 18.
2002 Outdoor Leaders (As of April 15, 2002)
Event Athlete
100 Meters Chad Seiler (10.71), Darnell Hammock (10.82), Avedikian Autra (11.47) 200 Meters Chris Berrian (21.70), Chad Seiler (21.76), Darnell Hammock (22.03), Dwight Taylor (23.06) 400 Meters Chris Berrian(49.97), Gabe Orosco (50.75), Rico Morales 50.64), Dwight Taylor (50.97), Darnell Anderson (52.13) 800 Meters Alex Mason (1:51.23), Roosevelt Cook (1:52.22), Philip Ogilvie (1:55.09), Gabe Orosco (1:54.64), Joshua Foster (1:54.07) 1,500 Meters Philip Ogilvie (3:54.26), Alex Mason (3:55.19), Roosevelt Cook (3:57.82), Ryan Anderson (4:05.00) Steeplechase Roberto Vaca (9:42.95), Ryan Anderson (9:45.45), Kyle Cirrincione (10:13.50), Curtis Barela (10:26.61), Marques Hicks (10:39.88) 5,000 Meters Kyle Cirrincione (15:08.18), Roberto Vaca (15:27.87), Curtis Barela (16:22.83), Kevin Smith (17:10.34) Hurdles Josh Alfaro (110-14.90, 400-55.76), Justin Schwartz (110-16.19), David Cardoza (110-16.81, 400-1:03.99), Joshua Foster (400- 58.98), Marques Hicks (400-1:01.40) High Jump Josh Alfaro (6-0) Long Jump Duran Archie (23-7 1/4), Kyrah Ayers (23-4 1/4), Kyle Carano (22-3 1/2) Triple Jump Duran Archie (50-10 1/4), Kevin Carano (50-1 3/4), Kyrah Ayers (49-6 1/2), Kyle Carano (48-10 3/4) Pole Vault Russell Weaver (16-00), Mark Unzueta (15-7 1/4), Justin Schwartz (15-1 3/4) Shot Put Joe Vasquez (53-8 1/4), Mike Guidry (51-5 1/2), Shlomi Ben- Shushan (49-2 1/2) Discus Mike Guidry (184-1), Joe Vasquez (169-7), Javon Kemp (156-8) Javelin Javon Kemp (178-8), Ryan Burgess (177-7), Allen Mendrin (172-6) Hammer Shlomi Ben-Shushan (188-4), Joe Vasquez (178-10)
