ARCATA — After tuning up with an intrasquad meet in Redwood Bowl last week, the HSU men's and women's track and field teams get back to the serious business of competition Saturday when they travel to Davis to compete in the Aggie Open, hosted by UC Davis. Field events begin with the men's javelin at 9:30 a.m., and racing gets underway on the track with the women's 5,000 meters at 10 a.m.
Meet Notes
UC Davis' Woody Wilson track serves as the Aggie Open venue. Sprints and hurdles in either direction on the UCD track, while the shot, discus, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and javelin are all located in the track's infield. The hammer ring is located directly south of the Schaal Aquatics Facility on campus. …Competition divisions are divided into junior college, collegiate, and open for both men and women. …More than 600 athletes participated in the 2009 Aggie Open. …No team scores will be kept.
Lumberjack Women's Notes
This week's meet offers the Jacks a chance to measure their relay teams' progress, which is expected to continue at a high level throughout the spring. Also in the shorter events, freshmen Brittainy Chown and Corie Schattauer will race the 100 meters while senior Olivia Juarez looks for a fast 200 meters. …Following an impressive leap over 18 feet at last week's open meet hosted by HSU, Chown will look for an even better long jump this weekend. Senior Melissa Murillo will focus on the triple jump. …Senior standout Megan Rolland will compete in her first 5,000 meters of the spring, getting in a strong workout for her specialty, the 3,000-meter steeplechase while also chasing a personal record at the distance. …Freshman Laura Tesch, who forged her way onto the Jacks' all-time top 10 list in the high jump two weeks ago, will try to go even higher then the 5-foot, 3-inch clearance that now ranks her sixth in HSU track and field history. …Marimar White-Espin, another HSU freshman, will compete in the pole vault after clearing 10-6 in Redwood Bowl on Saturday.
Lumberjack Men's Notes
Three Lumberjacks will chase personal best times in the 800 meters Saturday, an impressive goal for an early-season competition. Niko Arguelles, Nick LaPlant and Michael Radenbaugh hope a fast field will help them achieve the top performances of their respective careers. …Eric Malain and Austin Huff will look for quick times in the men's 5,000 meters. Sophomore Andrew Sylvester will also race the distance, but use the opportunity as more of a workout during his return to form following an injury. …Football recruit William Taylor has been a positive addition to the Jacks' sprint corps this spring, and will again hold HSU's hopes for a quick time in the 100 meters while also anchoring the 4x100 relay. Billy Burgess will race the 110 high hurdles and Tim Bishop will compete in the 400 hurdles.
Moran's Musings
"This meet gives us a good chance to allow all of our athletes to compete. It's a quality test for them in several events, and they're all chomping at the bit to get going. It's exciting to feel like the season is really underway."