Fresno State Athletics
Track and Field Awaits NCAA Championship Decision
5/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
May 20, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. -
Women's Complete Release in PDF Format
Men's Complete Release in PDF Format
Up Next
The Bulldogs turn their focus to the 2002 NCAA Championships, set for May 29 through June 1, at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. Four women have set provisional marks this season. Junior Crystal Simmons has provisional marks in both the long and triple jumps, sophomore Kara June has a provisional mark in the steeplechase, senior Kayla Russum marked in the javelin and senior April Wiechmann marked in the hammer. The four will know whether or not they have met the standard by Monday of next week.
Team Banquet
Track and field will hold its annual banquet Tuesday, May 21, at the Residence Dining Hall at 6:30 p.m. Four members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame including Bob Stout, Merle Martin, Dick Vierra and Dave Casper.
2002 WAC Champions- History Has Been Made
The Bulldogs dethroned the Owls of Rice from their two-year reign as the WAC Outdoor Champions and became the first women's team in Fresno State history to win a WAC outdoor crown. The fate of the meet came down to the final race, the 4x400-meter relay. The Bulldogs needed to place to win and they did just that. A fourth place finish was all it took to send the team home with the trophy. Along the way, head coach Bob Fraley was named Women's Head Coach of the Year for the WAC and Simmons was named Female High Point Winner. She was one of two Bulldogs to win individual crowns on the women's side. Simmons took the gold in the triple jump, while June was first in the steeplechase. June's time of 10:26.17 is a WAC and Fresno State record. This was her second-straight championship in the event. She is the only person to ever win the WAC crown in its two-year existence.
WAC Record
Kara June becomes the first record holder in the WAC since 1998, when Melissa Price did it in the pole vault. June owns the record in the steeplechase with her time of 10:26.17 earned along with her two-time WAC crown at the WAC Championships. In addition, she improved her WAC Championship record set last year and her Fresno State record.
NCAA Bound?
The squad has four 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 and June clocked 10:26.17 in the steeplechase for the consideration.
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 18th in the nation in the triple jump, according to the USATF.
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.
WAC Athletes of the Week
Fresno State had two Western Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week. Junior Crystal Simmons and freshman Crystal Phillips had the honor. Simmons earned the award after she was named Outstanding Female Performer of the 2002 Cal-Nevada Championships and Phillips took the honor for the week of March 18.
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.
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. He recently guided the women's team to its first ever WAC Outdoor championship and was named WAC Women's Head Coach of the Year. Prior to his current engagement, Fraley was an assistant coach for the women's team, including the 1994 Indoor 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 20, 2002)
Event Athlete 100 Meters Ocie Parks (11.72), Crystal Phillips (11.72), Taanasha Ricks (12.63) 200 Meters Crystal Phillips (24.04), Ocie Parks, (24.22)Crystal Simmons (24.58), 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 (10:26.17), Nicolin Neal (11:24.81), Megan Netze; (14:17.11) 5,000 Meters Kara June (17:53.0), Olga Gutierrez (17:56.03), Andrea Osteen (21:01.99), Asusena Garcia (21:17.61) Hurdles Crystal Simmons (100-13.95), 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), April Wiechmann (5-6), Jenny Moore (5-5.75), , 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 (11-2 1/4), Lexine Lesser (10-6 1/4) Shot Put Kristin Schelir (47-10 1/2), Andrea Stelter (45-00), April Wiechmann (44-2 1/4), Lisa Krauter (37-11) Discus April Wiechmann (162-5), Kristin Schelir (158-9), Christina Weaver (149-8), Lisa Krauter (148-7 3/4) Javelin Kayla Russum (155-2), April Wiechmann (144-0), Kristin Schelir (126-0) 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 10:26.17. Italics: NCAA Provisional Marks
Up Next
The Bulldogs turn their focus to the 2002 NCAA Championships, set for May 29 through June 1, at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. Two men have set provisional marks this season. Senior Mike Guidry set a provisional mark in the discus at 184-1, while junior Kyle Carano provisionally marked in the triple jump with a leap of 52-1. The two will know whether or not they have met the standard by Monday of next week.
Team Banquet
Track and field will hold its annual banquet Tuesday, May 21, at the Residence Dining Hall at 6:30 p.m. Four members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame including Bob Stout, Merle Martin, Dick Vierra and Dave Casper.
2002 WAC Championships
The men finished in fourth place with 116 points at the 2002 Western Athletic Conference Championships. Senior Justin Schwartz earned the only individual crown with his decathlon performance of 6,018 points. He won his specialty event, the pole vault and placed second in the 110-hurdles. Schwartz also took second in the event in regular competition. He tied with the first place finisher from Louisiana Tech, but in more tries. Freshman Russell Weaver also heighted at 15-1, but finished third for the same reason. The 4x100-meter relay team took third, as junior Kevin Carano, sophomore Chad Seiler, junior Darnell Hammock and freshman Chris Berrian finished in a season-best time of 41.20. Berrian also had personal-bests in the 200 and 400 meters as he crossed in sixth at 21.68 and fourth at 48.54. Also, seniors Duran Archie and Kyrah Ayers finished with silver and bronze medals in the long jump. Archie popped to 22-7, while Ayers landed at 22-5.
NCAA Bound?
The squad has two NCAA provisional qualifiers. Mike Guidry marked at 184-1 in the discus and needed 196-10 to automatic. Finally, Kyle Carano has provisionally marked in the triple jump at 52-1, but needed 53-5 to automatic.
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 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 was a consistent top notch performance area for the 'Dogs. The foursome of Archie, Ayers and the Carano brothers consistently did 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 won the event for two-straight competitions prior to WAC. 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 was close behind at second with a mark of 15-7 1/4.
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. He recently guided the women to the first ever WAC Outdoor Championship crown and was named WAC Women's Head Coach of the Year. 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 20, 2002)
Event Athlete
100 Meters Darnell Hammock (10.59),Chad Seiler (10.65), Avedikian Autra (11.47) 200 Meters Chris Berrian (21.68), Chad Seiler (21.76), Darnell Hammock (22.01), Dwight Taylor (23.06) 400 Meters Chris Berrian(48.54), Dwight Taylor (50.58), Gabe Orosco (50.75), Rico Morales 50.64),Darnell Anderson (52.13) 800 Meters Roosevelt Cook (1:50.88), Alex Mason (1:51.23), 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 Phillip Ogilvie (9:19.53), Roberto Vaca (9:42.95), Ryan Ander son (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 (15:12.94), 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 (6-4 1/4), Allen Mendrin (6-1 1/2), 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
