Fresno State Athletics
Hawaii-Bound: WAC Championships Event Preview
5/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
May 9, 2006
FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State heads to the island for the 2006 WAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which get underway Wednesday afternoon in Honolulu with the decathlon and heptathlon. Competition in those two events concludes Thursday evening, leading into Friday's prelims and Saturday's finals.
Bulldog entrants in the decathlon and heptathlon will arrive in Honolulu on Tuesday afternoon while the remainder of the squad leaves the mainland during the early hours of Thursday morning.
The men's squad, seeking its first outdoor title since 1994, will be looking to improve on a runner-up finish in last year's conference meet. The women's squad last captured a WAC title in 2002, edging out Rice for the league outdoor title. Fresno State placed third at last year's conference meet, registering 99.50 points.
An event-by-event preview follows below. Please note all times are PST and all WAC marks are as of Tuesday, May 9. Stay tuned to www.gobulldogs.com for extensive, on-site coverage of the 2006 WAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Decathlon
Final: Wed.-Thu.: starting at 4 p.m. PST both days
Defending Champion: Ryan Walsh (Rice): 6,777 points
Bulldog To Watch: Evan Young (So.)
- Three Bulldogs (Robert Calzadilla, Alan Floresca and Young) participated in a decathlon on Mar. 15, with Calzadilla registering the most points at 6,151. Young finished second with 6,005 points, however we'll tab the versatile sophomore as our pick to score points in this event. Young is the only returning decathlete with conference meet experience- he finished fourth last year as a freshman.
Heptathlon
Final: Wed.-Thu.: starting at 5 p.m. PST both days
Defending Champion: Katie Christianson (Fresno State): 5,215 points
Bulldog To Watch: Tonisha Henson (Sr.)
- Henson is our pick here, as Fresno State aims for a champion in the heptathlon for the second year in a row after Katie Christianson claimed gold in 2005. Henson finished seventh as a freshman, 10th as a sophomore and sixth as a junior. Now she attempts to close out her career on a strong note.
Women's Hammer
Final: Fri.: 3 p.m.
Defending Champion: Kaisa Kiintonen (UTEP): 192-4/58.61m
Bulldog To Watch: Jamie Farley (Sr.)
- Farley proved to be a dependable option for the Bulldogs in the hammer last year despite a two-year hiatus after serving a Mormon mission. She has been equally consistent this season, once again leading Fresno State in the hammer with a personal-best 176-4 (53.76m) she achieved in a dual with Mt. San Antonio College. While she is THIS close from qualifying for NCAA Regionals (177-7), she will have to contend with seven WAC throwers who have tossed at least 180-0.
Men's Javelin
Final: Fri.: 5:30 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Gabriel Wallin (Boise State): 241-6/73.59m
Bulldog To Watch: Josh Quiambao (Jr.)
- Three Bulldogs competed in the javelin at last year's WAC Championships and none of them were named Josh Quiambao. However, the junior's personal-best toss of 185-10 (56.64m) back on Mar. 4 at the beginning of the outdoor season would indicate he is capable of a strong showing. The top three javelin throwers in the conference all hail from Boise State.
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Men's Discus
Final: Fri.: 8 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Correy Harrison (UTEP): 174-9/53.26m
Bulldog To Watch: D.J. Haynes (So.)
- Haynes is one of two first-time NCAA Regional qualifiers for Fresno State on the men's side. He recorded a personal-best 170-0 (51.83m) at the Cal-Nevada Championships to narrowly eclipse the qualifying standard. Haynes, who also ranks second on the Bulldog shot put list, currently stands fourth in the WAC. Boise State's Staffan Jonsson leads the pack at 195-11.
Men's Long Jump
Final: Fri.: 5 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Mickael Hanany (UTEP): 24-11.75/7.61m
Bulldog To Watch: Alex Jones (Sr.)
- Jones leaped 23-6.25 (7.17m) back on Mar. 11 and that mark is tops among all Fresno State long jumpers. That jump places him third in the WAC. But the competition will be tough in this event, as six athletes have reached at least 23-0 and the top jump stands at 24-9. One of those six is Bulldog teammate DeAnte Brown, who checks in with a career-best 23-0 (7.01). Jones and Brown will both look to score here.
Men's Pole Vault
Final: Fri.: 6 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Russell Weaver (Fresno State): 16-6/5.03m
Bulldog To Watch: Adam Andresen (Sr.)
- To say Fresno State has possessed a stranglehold on the pole vault at WAC Outdoors is an understatement. The Bulldogs have claimed gold in this event since 2003, as Russell Weaver wrapped up his career in 2005 with a third consecutive title. The runner-up to Weaver last year was Andresen, who has already qualified for NCAA Regionals and currently leads the conference with a personal-best 16-6.75 (5.05m). The top seven pole vaulters in the WAC are either from Fresno State or Utah State.
Women's High Jump
Final: Fri.: 5 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Miruna Mataoanu (Boise State): 6-0.75/1.85m
Bulldog To Watch: Lauren Archie (So.)
- The top eight finishers in last year's high jump competition did not include anyone from Fresno State. This year, only WAC leader Emily Sheppard of Hawai'i has reached the NCAA Regional qualifying standard of 5-8.75. Fresno State's best bet might be Archie, who leads the squad with a leap of 5-3 (1.60m). Leshay Dorsey is close behind at 5-0 (1.53m).
Women's Shot Put
Schedule: Fri.: 7 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Jamie Martino (Nevada): 48-2.75/14.70m
Bulldog To Watch: Aspen Marshall (Sr.)
- Here's an event where Fresno State can maximize its scoring opportunities, as the women's throws have excelled all season long. Only one other WAC athlete has posted a better shot put mark in 2006 than La'Sha Hill, who has topped out at 49-4.25 (15.04m). While Hill has a legitimate chance to capture gold, we're picking Marshall. The Bulldog senior placed third at the conference meet last year, currently ranks fifth in the WAC and has momentum on her side: she threw a personal-best 48-0 (14.63m) last week at the Modesto Relays.
Women's Long Jump
Final: Fri.: 7:30 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Funmi Jimoh (Rice): 20-8.50/6.31m
Bulldog To Watch: Winnie Fletcher (Sr.)
- Tonisha Henson (18-2/5.54m) and Jimia White (18-1.75/5.53m) currently stand 1-2 on the Bulldog depth chart in the long jump. Next on the list is senior Winnie Fletcher, who we'll take in this event. Of all Fresno State long jumpers, Fletcher owns the best career mark at 19-0.75 (5.81m). Ashley Mathis of Nevada leads the conference at 40-0.75.
Men's 1500-meters
Final: Sat.: 6:15 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Stephen Samoei (UTEP): 3:52.18
Bulldog To Watch: Kevin Holloway (Sr.)
- Only one WAC athlete has qualified for NCAA Regionals in the 1500-meters and that's Wijnand Rijkenberg of Boise State at 3:46.02. After Rijkenberg, it's a matter of who's on. Let's go with Holloway here as our selection, as the senior owns the Bulldog's best time of 3:58.09 which he ran at the Cal-Nevada Championships.
Women's 1500-meters
Final: Sat.: 6:25 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Kali Baker (Nevada): 4:25.15
Bulldog To Watch: Marina Santana (So.)
- Utah State remains the favorite in this event, placing five runners among the WAC's listed top-10. Fresno State's best time this year was turned in by Santana, a cross country performer who ran a personal-best 4:47.55 at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays. Dee Olson of Idaho leads the pack at 4:18.58.
Men's 110-meter hurdles
Final: Sat.: 6:35 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Nolan Jackson (Louisiana Tech): 13.75
Bulldog To Watch: Val-Pierre Dai'Re (Fr.)
- Dai'Re is looking to cap an impressive freshman campaign with a strong showing at WAC Championships. Entering the event with a season-high mark of 14.61, he is not only capable of scoring in the meet but also has an outside chance to qualify for NCAA Regionals (14.30). Dai'Re is sixth-best among WAC hurdlers in this event. Evan Young and Robert Calzadilla will also challenge.
Women's 100-meter hurdles
Final: Sat.: 6:45 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Doria Appleberry (Louisiana Tech): 13.39
Bulldog To Watch: Tonisha Henson (Sr.)
- The past four champions in this event have posted times under 14.00. Henson possesses the Bulldog's top time of the year at 14.99 and her personal-best is 14.69. That being said, only one athlete in the WAC this year has run sub-14.00: Christie Gordon of Idaho at 13.99 (+3.9).
Men's 400-meters
Final: Sat.: 6:55 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Daniel Ward (UTEP): 46.98
Bulldog To Watch: Juan Valdez (So.)
- Valdez has emerged as a scoring threat for the Bulldogs and is an athlete to watch. Similar to teammate Ryan Moore, Valdez is a hurdle/sprint specialist from Visalia who will also showcase his skills in the 400-meter hurdles. The 400-meter race has been competitive in the WAC this year, with Boise State's Antoine Echols time of 47.46 serving as the benchmark. Three Bulldogs are ranked among the WAC's top five.
Women's 400-meters
Final: Sat.: 7 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Nina Gilbert (Louisiana Tech): 52.93
Bulldog To Watch: Renee Winston (So.)
- This was a race formerly dominated by Rice's Allison Beckford from 2002-04 until Louisiana Tech's Doria Appleberry claimed the crown last year. Louisiana Tech once again will be tough to beat here, with four runners ranked among the top six in the WAC. Winston's personal-best of 55.89, established at the Cal-Nevada Championships, leads the Bulldogs.
Men's 100-meters
Final: Sat.: 7:10 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Chris Berrian (Fresno State): 10.51
Bulldog To Watch: Jesse Smith (Sr.)
- Smith will look to follow the act of Chris Berrian, Fresno State's standout sprinter who locked up titles in the 100 and 200-meter races in 2005. Smith has a decent shot this year, owning the second-best time in the conference at 10.63. His personal-best stands at 10.40, which he accomplished back on Apr. 26, 2003. Run that same mark on Saturday, and he'll qualify for NCAA Regionals.
Women's 100-meters
Final: Sat.: 7:15 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Donesha Spivey (Louisiana Tech): 11.58
Bulldog To Watch: Christina Lopez (So.)
- Lopez burst on the scene last year as a freshman, contributing valuable points in the sprints. After a slow start in 2006, she has picked it up and heads into this weekend owning the Bulldog's top mark in the 100 and 200-meter runs. Her season-best is 12.06 and that ranks sixth-best in the WAC. Louisiana Tech's duo of Donesha Spivey and Latonia Wilson will be tough to beat.
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Women's 800-meters
Final: Sat.: 7:30 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Fatimoh Muhammed (UTEP): 2:06.88
Bulldog To Watch: Zinzi Evans (Jr.)
- More than capable of winning this race is Evans, a recent NCAA Regional qualifier. Her season-best time of 2:09.72 that she ran in the UC Davis dual made her eligible for the postseason. Her personal-best time of 2:08.93- established during her freshman season- indicates she is a threat if at top speed. Evans, third-best in the WAC and a fourth-place finisher in the 2005 conference meet, is looking up at Dee Olson of Idaho (2:08.64).
Men's 800-meters
Final: Sat.: 7:25 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Elias Koech (UTEP): 1:50.02
Bulldog To Watch: Kyle Sunderland (Jr.)
- Sunderland's season-best stands at 1:52.71, which ranks fourth-best in the WAC. He took seventh at last year's conference meet when he ran 1:52.68. Aaron Berry is close behind at 1:53.09. Everyone is chasing Idaho's Driss Yousfi, who has posted the WAC's best mark in this event at 1:49.35. Yousfi is nearly two seconds better than the next competitor.
Women's 400-meter hurdles
Final: Sat.: 7:50 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Doria Appleberry (Louisiana Tech): 57.79
Bulldog To Watch: Erica McCoy (So.)
- McCoy is running this race one minute quicker than last year at this time. Her season-best of 1:02.97 is also a personal-best and that ranks her fifth in the WAC. Sunny Arada is right behind her with a personal-best 1:05.43 while Cheri Ramirez checks in at 1:06.05. Maybe they could run this portion of the race in Davis, Calif., the site of personal-best marks for all three Bulldogs.
Men's 400-meter hurdles
Final: Sat.: 7:40 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Ryan Moore (Fresno State): 52.00
Bulldog To Watch: Ryan Moore (Jr.)
- Moore is looking to repeat after finishing ahead of teammate Juan Valdez for a 1-2 finish in 2005. This year, Moore's best time is 51.85 and that was good enough to lead the conference until the final week of April when Utah State's Scott Bell clocked in at 50.98. Moore has already qualified for NCAA Regionals and is virtually a lock to score.
Men's 200-meters
Final: Sat.: 8 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Chris Berrian (Fresno State): 20.78
Bulldog To Watch: Jesse Smith (Sr.)
- Fresno State's top sprint threat remains Smith, who ran a personal-best 21.40 back on Mar. 24 in a dual with Mt. San Antonio College. The past four WAC champions in this event have done so with a time under 21.00. D.J. Smith of Utah State currently owns the best mark in the WAC at 21.03. Don't forget about Durran Moore or Kenny Moon either.
Women's 200-meters
Final: Sat.: 8:05 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Yvonne Umeh (Rice): 23.36
Bulldog To Watch: Christina Lopez (So.)
- Lopez recorded a season-best time of 24.50 in this event in the Mt. San Antonio College dual. A finish among the top-three would be an accomplishment here. Louisiana Tech again has the edge with Nina Gilbert and Donesha Spivey holding down the top two spots in the WAC. Lopez is fourth behind New Mexico State's Katrina Powell.
Men's 3000-meter steeplechase
Final: Fri.: 7:15 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Patrick Mutai (UTEP): 8:38.43
Bulldog To Watch: Ian Mason (Sr.)
- Ian Mason's 9:00.35, which he ran in the UC Davis dual, ranks fourth-best among WAC performers. The Bulldog senior is looking up at Idaho's Kevin Friesen (8:27.95) and Tim Marshall and Zachery Schuler of Louisiana Tech.
Women's 3000-meter steeplechase
Final: Fri.: 7:35 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Andrea Buckner (Fresno State): 10:30.89
Bulldog To Watch: Marina Santana (So.)
- A race that Kara June flat dominated is now done so by Chantelle Laan of Hawai'i (10:26.06). Andrea Buckner owns the Bulldog's top time and fourth-best in the WAC at 11:02.38, but she has battled injury throughout the year. We'll take a look at Santana, who posted a season-best 11:19.27 in the UC Davis dual.
Women's 5000-meters
Final: Sat.: 8:35 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Karin van Rooyen (SMU): 16:39.48
Bulldog To Watch: Paloma Dominguez (Fr.)
- At the Cal Poly Invitational, Dominguez ran a season-best 19:40.93. The gold standard is Boise State's Rebecca Guyette at 16:40.65.
Men's 5000-meters
Final: Sat.: 8:10 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Stephen Samoei (UTEP): 14:01.51
Bulldog To Watch: Ian Mason (Sr.)
- We'll ride Mason again. His season-best time is 15:18.26.
Women's 10,000-meters
Final: Fri.: 8:35 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Marissa Daniels (Rice): 35:34.41
Bulldog To Watch: Paloma Dominguez (Fr.)
- Dominguez and Andrea Buckner are the Bulldog's top threats here. At the moment, Idaho's Mandy Macalister leads the conference at 36:21.06 in this little-run race.
Men's 10,000-meters
Final: Fri.: 7:55 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Japheth Ng'ojoy (UTEP): 29:43.99
Bulldog To Watch: Ian Mason (Sr.)
- Again, Mason is the Bulldog's top distance threat. The top time in the WAC so far this year is 33:03.97 by Tim Marshall of Louisiana Tech. This event is somewhat of an unknown.
Men's 4x100-meter relay
Final: Sat.: 6 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: UTEP: 40.11
Bulldog To Watch: TBA
- Fresno State's top 4x100-meter relay time this year is 40.95. The Bulldogs placed third in this event last year and figure to contend this weekend. Utah State's crew owns the best mark in the WAC at 40.76. Head coach Bob Fraley is undecided on a team.
Women's 4x100-meter relay
Final: Sat.: 6:05 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Louisiana Tech: 44.30
Bulldog To Watch: TBA
- The `Dogs placed just out of the money in 2005, finishing fourth. This year's best 4x100-meter relay effort came across at 47.27, which stands as the fifth-best WAC time in 2006.
Men's 4x400-meter relay
Final: Sat.: 9 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: UTEP: 40.11
Bulldog To Watch: TBA
- Fresno State's team of Rico Morales, Juan Valdez, Kenny Moon and Ryan Moore won gold last year with a time of 3:09.97. The best Bulldog time this year stands at 3:13.50 and that ranks second in the conference.
Women's 4x400-meter relay
Final: Sat.: 9:05 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Louisiana Tech: 3:37.86
Bulldog To Watch: TBA
- Like the men's 4x400-meter relay, Fresno State has posted the second-best WAC time this year at 3:44.75. However, Louisiana Tech holds a comfortable edge at 3:33.40.
Men's Hammer
Final: Sat.: 3 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Mattias Jons (Boise State): 214-1/65.26m
Bulldog To Watch: Brian Vazquez (So.)
- Vazquez found his touch at the Cal-Nevada Championships, establishing a lifetime-best throw of 191-3 (58.30m). That toss also qualified him for NCAA Regionals. He currently ranks fifth in the WAC and took sixth in last year's conference meet. Mattias Jons of Boise State is looking to repeat as the champion and has reached 230-8.
Women's Javelin
Final: Sat.: 5:30 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Neely Falgout (Boise State): 180-1/54.90m
Bulldog To Watch: Mallory Webb (Jr.)
- No-brainer. Webb, the only current All-American on the Bulldog roster, has a lot of hardware for her trophy case but is without a WAC title in two attempts. This might be the year. She threw a personal-best 169-10 (51.76m) at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational and also leads the WAC. Best bet to catch her: teammate Katie Richardson, who has reached 163-1 and ranks second. Both are NCAA Regional qualifiers.
Women's Discus
Final: Sat.: 8 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Krystal Robinson (Rice): 179-2/54.62m
Bulldog To Watch: Katie Richardson (Jr.)
- Richardson has been simply brilliant for Fresno State this year, qualifying for NCAA Regionals in two events. The discus is where she makes her mark, checking in with a personal-best 170-11 (52.10m). She's a safe pick to eclipse last year's fifth-place finish at the conference meet. Bulldog coaches are counting on Richardson to score. La'Sha Hill is second in the WAC at 161-8 and has also qualified for NCAA Regionals.
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Women's Triple Jump
Final: Sat.: 5:30 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Ayanna Alexander (Louisiana Tech): 42-8.75/13.02m
Bulldog To Watch: Regina Ollison (Sr.)
- Ollison became an NCAA Regional qualifier for the second straight year back on Apr. 29, reaching 41-1 (12.52m) at the UC Davis dual. Her season-best is also a personal-best. Ollison was the runner-up last year. The 2006 WAC leader is Boise State's Eleni-Maria Kafourou at 43-3.
Men's High Jump
Final: Sat.: 6 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Mickael Hanany (UTEP): 7-0.50/2.15m
Bulldog To Watch: Robert Calzadilla (Jr.)
- Calzadilla has the makings of a threat in the high jump. He placed eighth at WAC Championships last year and comes in with a season-best 5-10 (1.78m) to lead the Bulldogs. Alan Floresca has reached 5-8.
Women's Pole Vault
Final: Sat.: 6 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Lexine Lesser (Fresno State): 13-1.50/4.00m
Bulldog To Watch: Samantha Modeste (Jr.)
- Modeste will look at her freshman campaign for inspiration, as she advanced to NCAA Regionals after vaulting a personal-best 12-4 (3.76m). Her season-high in 2006 is 11-11.75 (3.65). Once an event dominated by Fresno State, Idaho owns the top two spots in the WAC and the leading Vandal (Melinda Owen) stands at 13-4.25. Stacy Hunt comes in at 11-8 (3.56) and Brooke Cranston has reached 11-5.75 (3.50).
Men's Shot Put
Final: Sat.: 7 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Luke Stadel (Rice): 58-2/17.73m
Bulldog To Watch: Oscar Rodriguez (So.)
- Rodriguez finished fourth last year as a freshman. One year later, he is throwing with more confidence and his season-best 53-10.25 (16.42) ranks fourth in the WAC. Rodriguez is also close to qualifying for NCAA Regionals, as the standard is 55-1.50. D.J. Haynes can also contribute here and score. Idaho's Russ Winger has thrown 64-9.75 to lead the field.
Men's Triple Jump
Final: Sat.: 8 p.m. PST
Defending Champion: Mickael Hanany (UTEP): 52-0/15.85m
Bulldog To Watch: Kyle Montgomery (So.)
- Montgomery is another quiet, dependable option for the Bulldogs. He took fourth last year and enters this weekend with a personal-best 47-10.50 (14.59m) that ranks second in the WAC. Louisiana Tech's Matthew Craig holds a slim advantage at 47-11. DeAnte Brown is close behind at 46-0.25 (14.03) and has an outside shot to place.
