Fresno State Athletics
Track and Field Travels to WAC Championships
5/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
May 13, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. -
Women's Complete Release in PDF Format
Men's Complete Release in PDF Format
Up Next
The Western Athletic Conference Championships have finally arrived. The Bulldogs will compete beginning on Wednesday, May 15, at Rice in Houston, Texas. The meet extends until Saturday, May 18.
The Bulldogs At WAC
As the host of the WAC Championships last season, the women captured third place with 110 points. The squad had one individual champion as Kara June won the steeplechase at 10:53.83. The last time Rice hosted was in 1998 and in that year, Fresno State was fourth with 67 points. Since 1993, the Bulldogs have finished in the top three seven times, including five-straight second place ranks from 1993-97. The Bulldogs have never won an outdoor championship. For the first time this season the 'Dogs will face WAC competition, including No. 13 ranked Rice. The Owls have been ranked in the Trackwire Top 25 all season. Day-to day results will be posted on www.gobulldogs.com, as well as on Rice's track and field website, www.riceowls.com/sports/wtrack.
Recapping the Modesto Relays
In total, the women recorded 10 top 10 finishes, including three second place ranks. Seniors Andrea Stelter and April Wiechmann finished two-three in the hammer. Stelter threw a mark of 180-00, while Wiechmann marked at 177-6. Freshmen Ocie Parks and Crystal Phillips also went two-three in the 100 dash with times of 11.88 and 11.97 respectively. Junior Crystal Simmons was second in the triple jump at 40-4, while senior Bergann Hernandez vaulted 12-1.50 for fifth place.
What We Did
The Bulldogs had a successful season both in dual meet and invitational competition. In both of the team's dual meet competitions, the 'Dogs finished in the top two, taking first in their only home meet and second at the Cal Poly Tri-meet. Capping the invitational portion was a second place crown at the Cal-Nevada Championships. Overall, three women set NCAA provisional marks prior to the WAC Championships and two Fresno State records were set, the long jump and steeplechase.
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 owns Bulldogs records in both the long and triple jumps, 20-5.20 and 42-10.25. The jumper is ranked 12th in the nation in the long jump and 17th in the triple, while taking first in the WAC in both jumps.
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, leads the team and is third in the WAC. Wiechmann also leads the team in the discus at 162-5, fourth in the WAC.
It's Not June Yet, Or is it?
Kara June continues to improve her own record at Fresno State. Her most recent best of 10:48.51 came from her first place finish at the Cal Poly Tri-Meet, Saturday, May 4. She looks to repeat as the WAC steeplechase champion. Last year she lead the WAC with a time of 10:53.83. She has already won major championship when she took the crown at the Cal-Nevada Championships in late March with a time of 11:05.27, a time which led all others by 24 seconds.
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.
NCAA Bound
Currently, the squad has three NCAA provisional qualifiers. Simmons has the honor in both the triple and long jumps. Wiechmann has done the job in the hammer, while senior Kayla Russum speared a 155-2 in the javelin for the consideration.
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 an assistant 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 Outdoor Leaders (As of May 13, 2002)
Event Athlete
100 Meters Ocie Parks (11.72), Crystal Phillips (11.72), Taanasha Ricks (12.63) 200 Meters Crystal Phillips (24.04), Crystal Simmons (24.58), Ocie Parks (24.27), Tiffany Simon (25.00), Raynisha Bragg (24.6), Katie Christianson (24.7) 400 Meters Tiffany Simon (55.22), Raynisha Bragg (56.5), Jennifer Tyler (58.78) 800 Meters Stacy Esquivel (2:13.32), Jennifer Tyler (2:15.2), Nicolin Neal (2:38.23), Megan Netzel (2:51.31) 1,500 Meters Kara June (4:38.27), Stacy Esquivel (4:42.07), Olga Gutierrez (4:51.11), Stacy Aurit (4:55.17), 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 (10:48.51), Nicolin Neal (11:24.81), Megan Netze; (14:17.11) 5,000 Meters Kara June (17:53.0), Olga Gutierrez (18:16.00), Andrea Osteen (21:01.99), Asusena Garcia (21:17.61) Hurdles Crystal Simmons (100-14.09), Katie Christianson (14.93), Domonique Harper (100-15.03, 400-1:13.12), Joni Landua (100-15.22, 400-1:04.4) High Jump Crystal Simmons (5-6), Jenny Moore (5-5.75), April Wiechmann (5-5), Katie Christianson (5-3 3/4) Long Jump *Crystal Simmons (20-5 1/2), Katie Christianson (18-4 1/2) Jenny Moore (18-2 3/4) Triple Jump Crystal Simmons(42-5 1/4), 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 (47-0 1/4), Andrea Stelter (45-00), April Wiechmann (44-2 1/4), Lisa Krauter (37-11) Discus April Wiechmann (162-5), Kristin Schelir (155-4), Christina Weaver (149-8), Lisa Krauter (148-7 3/4) Javelin Kayla Russum (155-2), April Wiechmann (144-0) Hammer April Wiechmann (186-8), Andrea Stelter (181-11 3/4), Kristin Schelir (161-8), Christina Weaver (167-9)
* Note: Crystal Simmons set the FS record in the long jump at 20-5.50, while Kara June owns the steeplechase record with a time of 10:48.51. Italics: NCAA Provisional Marks
Up Next
It's the final meet for the season as the Bulldogs head to Modesto, Calif., Saturday, May 11. The event will mark the 61st year in existence for the traditional relays. As another showcase for some of the nation's top talent, including former and future Olympians, the 'Dogs will be able to compete in their fourth such meet this season. The men's and women's hammer are slated for Friday, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
The Bulldogs At WAC
As the host of the WAC Championships last season, the men captured third place with 117 points. The squad had one individual champion, as Mark Unzueta took the pole vault at 16-6.25. The last time Rice hosted was in 1998 and in that year, Fresno State was second with 109 points. Since 1993, the Bulldogs have finished in the top three seven times, including a team championship in 1994. In addition, there have been four runner-up spots, including 1993, 95, 96 and 98. For the first time this season the 'Dogs will face WAC competition, including No. 10 ranked UTEP. The Miners have been ranked in the Trackwire Top 25 all season. Day-to day results will be posted on www.gobulldogs.com, as well as on Rice's track and field website, www.riceowls.com/sports/mtrack.
Recapping the Modesto Relays
In total, the men recorded four top 10 finishes, including a second place finish by junior Kyle Carano. Carano notched the rank after a leap of 50-1.75 in the triple jump. Senior Roosevelt Cook and junior Alex Mason finished seventh and ninth in the 800 meters with times of 1:52.80 and 1:53.22, respectively. Sophomore Joe Vasquez and senior Mike Guidry landed landed the 10th and 11th places in the shot put event. Vasquez threw 52-00.50, while Guidry marked at 47-11.25.
What We Did
The Bulldogs had a successful season both in dual meet and invitational competition. In both of the team's dual meet competitions, the 'Dogs finished in the top two, taking first in their only home meet and second at the Cal Poly Tri-meet. Capping the invitational portion was a second place crown at the Cal-Nevada Championships. Overall, two men set NCAA provisional marks prior to the WAC Championships, the discus and triple jump.
Mason on a Mission
Junior Alex Mason is making the most of his junior year by improving all of his running times. Most recently he clocked a team-leading and personal-best 3:52.91 in the 1,500 meters. He also leads the team with his March 30 time of 1:51.23 in the 800 meters. Additionally, he ran the 5,000 meters last weekend in a time of 15:35.70, his first such race. Mason ranks sixth in the WAC with his time in the 800 and 11th in the 1500 meters.
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. Kyle Carano leads the pack with his NCAA provisional mark of 52-1. He could possibly rank as high as third in the WAC top performances. Archie is third in the WAC in the long jump and fourth in the triple jump, while Kyle Carano and Ayers follow in fifth and sixth in the triple.
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 a NCAA provisional. He has won the event for two-straight competitions. Ben-Shushan is the leader in the hammer with a distance of 199-0 and Kemp owns a PR of 194-3.
A Head Above the Rest
A freshman pole vaulter by the name of Russell Weaver has the WAC on his shoulders. Weaver pole vaulted to a height of 16-0 on April 13, to take the reigns of the event. WAC Champion and teammate, senior Mark Unzueta is close behind at second with a mark of 15-7 1/4.
NCAA Bound
Currently, the squad has two NCAA provisional qualifiers. Guidry marks at 184-1 in the discus, needs 196-10 to automatic. Finally, Kyle Carano has provisionally marked in the triple jump at 52-1, needs 53-5 to automatic.
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 an assistant 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 Outdoor Leaders (As of May 13, 2002)
Event Athlete
100 Meters Darnell Hammock (10.59),Chad Seiler (10.65), Avedikian Autra (11.47) 200 Meters Chris Berrian (21.70), Chad Seiler (21.76), Darnell Hammock (22.01), Dwight Taylor (23.06) 400 Meters Chris Berrian(49.97), Dwight Taylor (50.58), Gabe Orosco (50.75), Rico Morales 50.64),Darnell Anderson (52.13) 800 Meters Alex Mason (1:51.23), Roosevelt Cook (1:52.22), Philip Ogilvie (1:55.09), Gabe Orosco (1:53.2), Joshua Foster (1:53.30) 1,500 Meters Alex Mason (3:52.91), Philip Ogilvie (3:54.26), Roosevelt Cook (3:57.82), Ryan Anderson (4:05.00) Steeplechase Roberto Vaca (9:42.95), Ryan Anderson (9:37.32), Kyle Cirrincione (10:13.50), Curtis Barela (10:01.2), Marques Hicks (10:15.7) 5,000 Meters Robert Vaca (15:02.28), Kyle Cirrincione (15:08.18), Philip Ogilvie (15:12.06), Ryan Anderson (15:32.08), Alex Mason (15:35.70), Curtis Barela (16:22.83), Kevin Smith (16:20.94) Hurdles Josh Alfaro (110-14.90, 400-55.2), Justin Schwartz (110-16.0), 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), Allen Mendrin (6-0), Dwight Taylor (5-10) Long Jump Duran Archie (23-7 1/4), Kyrah Ayers (23-4 1/4), Kyle Carano (22-3 1/2) Triple Jump Kyle Carano (52-1),Duran Archie (50-10 1/4), Kevin Carano (50-1 3/4), Kyrah Ayers (49-6 1/2) Pole Vault Russell Weaver (16-00), Mark Unzueta (15-7 1/4), Justin Schwartz (15-1 3/4), Leif McMurry (15-0), Paul Lim (13-7 1/4) Shot Put Joe Vasquez (53-8 1/4), Mike Guidry (52-6 1/2), Shlomi Ben- Shushan (50-8 1/2) Discus Mike Guidry (184-1), Joe Vasquez (169-7), Javon Kemp (156-8) Javelin Javon Kemp (194-3), Ryan Burgess (177-7), Allen Mendrin (172-6) Hammer Shlomi Ben-Shushan (199-0), Joe Vasquez (178-10)
Italics: NCAA Provisional Marks
