Reporter
The CSUB outdoor track and field teams are intensively preparing for the first day of the Western Athletic Conference Championships, which will begin on Wednesday, May 9 in Lawrence, Kansas.
“I feel this is the best women’s team we’ve been able to line up. We have people that are competitive in a variety of events, and so I’m looking for a good showing from them. We have some guys in really good positions to do really well,” said Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Marcia Mansur-Wentworth.
Julianne Finch said, “I feel really excited. I’ve been working really hard this season and I’m just waiting for my big jump to come. I know I’m ready for it.”
The sophomore pole vault specialist hit her highest mark of the season at the Titan Team Challenge on March 31. Although she finished fifth overall, she hit a season-best height of 3.85 meters.
Javelin specialist, senior Alec Benavides achieved his season best at the Bulldog Invitational on April 28. He finished second overall, with a thrown distance of 56.40m.
“I feel like our team is pretty strong this year. I think we’re going to surprise some people,” said Benavides. “We don’t have a big team, but I don’t think that’s going to stop us from shocking the WAC. I think we’re going to compete very well.”
One to watch would be Corbin Chronister, who will be competing in the hammer throw and discus throw.
Although he is only a freshman, Chronister achieved his personal best for the hammer throw in one of the first few meets of the season. At the Cal State LA Invitational on March 3, he threw a distance of 56.68m, which landed him first place.
Jazmyne Bartee, a basketball stand out this past season, has taken her talents to the Track and Field team this season and is not looking to disappoint.
Although she is a new addition to the team, the redshirt-senior quickly proved her worth at the Cal State L.A. Twilight Open. She competed in the high jump and earned first place with a distance of 1.54m. Her season best was at the Titan Team Challenge on March 31, where she achieved a distance of 1.65m.
Distance specialist, Angel Valdez strongly believes that her team is one to watch in the WAC Championships. Although she is a senior, her determination is stronger than ever.
“We’re just improving every single year, we’re just getting better and better,” said Valdez. “We have a young team and we’re going to surprise some people. I think we’re going to turn some heads.”
She added, “When they see us winning heats, people are going to keep noticing that. We’re turning heads because we’re going from being this team that was just unrecognized and didn’t make any impact, to getting on the line and being in the top group,” she also added.
The 2018 Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships will commence in Lawrence, Kansas from May 9-12, and will be hosted by Kansas City.
Photo courtesy of Michael Glasgow
