2009 in REVIEW Newcomers

1 2010 Long Beach State Track & Field Introduction 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION Team Quick Facts ...... 1 2010 Season Preview ...... 2 2010 Roster ...... 4-5

COACHING STAFF Head Coach Andy Sythe ...... 6-7 Patrick Cunniff, Shaun Meinecke ...... 7 Cory Loebl, Dave Rodda, Jill Reynolds, Steve Cardinalli ...... 8 Team Managers ...... 8

MEET THE 49ER MEN Returners ...... 10-14 2009 IN REVIEW Newcomers ...... 15-16 MEET THE 49ER WOMEN BIG WEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Returners ...... 18-22 Newcomers ...... 22-23 MEN: 4th place -- 109 points WOMEN: 8th place -- 61.50 points 49ER HISTORY AND RECORDS Championship Tradition ...... 26 All-Americans/Olympians ...... 27 All-Conference (Men): Kenneth Medwood, 2nd place, 400m Hurdles; Kenneth National Qualifiers Since 1990 ...... 28 NCAA Regional Qualifers ...... 29 Medwood, 2nd place, Long Jump; Rajan Bains, 2nd place, Discus; Colin Dunbar, 2nd Individual Conference Champions ...... 30 place, Hammer; Rodney Hawkins, 2nd place, Triple Jump; Pat Smith, 2nd place, Javelin; Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame ...... 31 Alex Freitas, 3rd place, 800m; Gabe Rodriguez, 3rd place, Javelin Multiple All-Conference Performers ...... 31 All-Conference Selections Since 1985 ...... 32-33 All-Conference (Women): Carly Harris, 2nd place, 5000m; Carly Harris, 2nd place, Big West Athletes of the Year ...... 33 3000m Steeplechase; Kristina Wilson, 2nd place, 10000m; Taylor O’Conner, 3rd place, Indoor Records ...... 34-35 Outdoor Records ...... 36-37 High Jump THIS IS LONG BEACH STATE All-Academic Team: Missy Barclay, Alex Black, Cheryl Bube, Collin Cram, Katie Crowe, President F. King Alexander ...... 39 Carly Harris, Anastasiya Kholev, Ejiro Okoro, Amanda Rosencrantz, Kristina Wilson Championship Tradition ...... 40 Athletics Directory ...... 41 Administration ...... 42 NCAA WEST REGIONALS Media Information ...... 43 All-Region: Kenneth Medwood, 5th place, 400m Hurdles Sports Medicine ...... 44 Walter Pyramid ...... 45-46 NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Where Champions Play ...... 47-48 Kenneth Medwood (400m Hurdles - 21st) Building Champions ...... 49-50 Graduating Champions ...... 51-52 City of Long Beach ...... 53-54 The Campus ...... 55-56 Championship Facilities ...... 57-58 MOUNTAIN PACIFIC SPORTS FEDERATION INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Men: 10th place Women: 10th place QUICK FACTS All-Conference: Brent Gray, 1st place, 200m GENERAL INFORMATION MPSF All-Academic Team: Rajan Bains, Alex Black, Katie Black, Missy Barclay, Collin Location ...... Long Beach, Calif. Enrollment ...... 35,559 Cram, Ejiro Okoro, Katie Crowe, Carly Harris, Miia Mobley, Kristina Wilson, Kate Nickname ...... 49ers / The Beach Beighton, Jennifer Onyeagbako Colors ...... Black and Gold President ...... Dr. F. King Alexander NCAA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Athletics Director ...... Vic Cegles All-Americans: Brent Gray, 6th place, 200m Conferences ...... Big West (Outdoor) ...... Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (Indoor) Home Stadium ...... Jack Rose Track California State University is committed to providing equal opportunities to men and women CSU students in all campus programs, including intercollegiate athletics. CSULB, in compliance with the Civil COACHING STAFF Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI and Title VII), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Head Coach ...... Andy Sythe (21st season) Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the American Disabilities Act of 1990, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, handicap or age Alma Mater ...... San Diego State, 1987 in any of its policies, procedures or practices; nor does CSULB discriminate on the basis of marital Assistant Coaches...... Patrick Cunniff, 4rd season status or sexual orientation. This nondiscrimination policy covers all CSULB programs and activities, ...... Shaun Meinecke, 1st season including employment. In addition to meeting fully its obligations of nondiscrimination under federal and ...... Cory Loebl, 4th season state law, CSULB is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live and work, ...... Jill Reynolds, 1st season in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, ...... Dave Rodda, 10th season without regard to economic status, ethnic background, political views, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics or beliefs. Track and Field Office ...... (562) 985-4666 MEDIA RELATIONS The 2010 Long Beach State track and field media guide is a product of the LBSU media Track and Field Contact ...... Andrea Ohta relations office. The publication was written by assistant media relations director Andrea Ohta with assistance from Geoff Nielsen, Todd Miles and Andy Sythe. Photos were taken by Office ...... (562) 985-8569 Stephen Carr, Matt Brown, Brendan Pena, Tony Duffy, Heston Quan and Robert Freligh of the E-Mail ...... [email protected] CSULB Audio Visual Department. City of Long Beach photos courtesy of the Long Beach SID Fax ...... (562) 985-1549 Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Website ...... www.longbeachstate.com

2010 Long Beach State Track and Field Media Guide 2 season preview Introduction 2

MEN Nowell and Neizer are also expected to The 2010 Long Beach State men's track and contribute in the triple jump, along with Michael field team has its sights set on its third Big West Vaughan and Kevin Jenkins. Conference championship. The 49ers, who In the high jump, senior Alex Black is looking to claimed the title in 2006 and 2008, have the depth improve on his NCAA Regional qualifying this year to climb back to the top of the performance last year. Black has competed at the conference. West Regional meet in each of the last two “Our goal is to challenge for the conference seasons. He will be joined by transfers Brad title,” said LBSU head coach Andy Sythe. “In order Zarembski and Jenkins. to do that, we will need to train smart and stay “We are in really good shape in the jumps,” healthy.” Sythe said. “We have had some very skilled athletes come through this program, but the depth Hurdles of this group really gives us the potential to take The hurdles are shaping up to be one of Long that big step to the national level.” Beach State’s strongest event areas. Leading the Nicholas Armstrong and Nate Koch will be a pack will be 2010 national qualifier Kenneth force in multiple events, including the decathlon. Janelle Coulter (left) and Tayler O’Connor (right) Medwood. Medwood was an All-Big West and All- Koch, who redshirted last season, was the 2008 Region performer in the 400 hurdles, while he also junior college state champion, while Armstrong Hurdles/Sprints won the JC title in 2009. established the fourth-fastest mark in school Another strong event area for the 49er women history. will be the hurdles. Kristen Kiefer, an NCAA Throws Joining Medwood in the 400H will be junior Regional qualifier in the long hurdles and a The Beach returns three of its top throwers transfer Sam Jeter. Jeter, who led Riverside conference finalist in the short hurdles returns from last year in Colin Dunbar, Rajan Bains and College to back-to-back state championships, after redshirting last season. Peter Fourtounis. The 49ers also bring in a nice posted the top community college 400 hurdle time Anastasiya Kholev, Brenda Finney (team recruiting class with the addition of Ryan Rosales last year. captain), Aiyana Welsh, Tayler O’Connor and and Cesar Puga. In the 110-meter hurdles, Nimrod Piggee looks Krissy Knowles are also expected to contribute in “Traditionally, the throws have been an to pace the 49ers after qualifyiing for the NCAA the hurdle events. Regionals in 2009. Also in the short hurdle group exceptionally deep event that has scored a good will be Nate Koch and Nicholas Armstrong. amount of points for us,” said Sythe. “We see that Distances continuing with this group of men.” Leading the way in the distances will be senior Sprints Missy Barclay, who was an NCAA Regional Distances Senior Alex Goldberg will lead the 49er qualifier last year. Jennifer Rodriguez is also Wrapping up a talented team this year is a sprinters in 2010. Goldberg, a conference scorer expected to play a key role in LBSU’s success as solid all-around distance squad. Perhaps the in the 200m and 400m, was the 2007 Big West she was a conference scorer in the 1500m as a strongest event will be the 800m with the return of Freshman of the Year and is a multiple all-league sophomore. two-time NCAA Regional qualifier Alex Freitas, performer. Chris Sweeney and Nate Koch will also Alisia Barajas has come back even stronger Matt Maldonado, Jonathan Evans and Raul Arcos. be a factor in the 400 as they have shown rapid after being injured for most of her freshman All four have run lifetime bests of under 1:53.00. improvement in the fall. season and provides a lot of help in the 5000m Because of the overlap with the 800 runners, The 49ers have a number of athletes that can and 10,000m. the 1500m will also be one of the stronger events. contribute in the short sprints including Nathan Jessica Barnard, Veronica Franco and Denise Maldonado (NCAA Regional qualifier), Arcos and Alade, Koch, Medwood, Jeter and Sweeney. Nunez also return for The Beach, while the 49ers Mark Thomas will anchor the group. add top recruit Annie Randall into the mix. Jumps/Multi-Events Also looking to make an impact in the longer The jumps and multi-events are also an area distances are Steven DeCastro, Bret Hasvold, Jumps/Multi-Events Nick Kelley and Jacob Ainsworth. where LBSU has a great amount of depth. Once Long Beach State has a young but talented again, Medwood returns to lead the group as he group in the jumps and multi-events. Leading the was an All-Big West performer in the long jump WOMEN 49ers in the high jump is senior and NCAA The Long Beach State women's track and field last year. Regional qualifier Tayler O’Connor. She will be team is on the rise. After battling through an injury- Cameron Gillett, the 2008 state high school joined by sophomores Janelle Coulter, Katrina filled season in 2009, the 49ers return even champion, is also back with a year of collegiate Graves-Johnson and Sara Macey. stronger this year. experience under his belt, while the addition of The Beach has four athletes with very good transfers Eric Nowell and Manny Neizer round out scoring potential in the pole vault. Junior Kate Throws a very strong foursome. Beighton looks to lead the group with the most Leading the way in the throws will be senior experience. Freshmen Kayla Kamaka, Amanda Alex Shaw, who is coming off a redshirt season. Klinchuch and Cheryl Smith are also expected to Shaw is a multiple All-Big West and NCAA make an immediate impact. Regional performer in the javelin. She enters her The long jump could be the strongest event for final year ranked second in the 49er record books the 49ers as they return Miia Mobley and Kristen with a career-long 167-05. Kiefer. Alongside Shaw will be junior transfer Randi Mobley will also lead the triple jumpers as she Hicks. Hicks was a two-time Western State won the event at the 2008 Big West Conference champion and a junior college All- championships and holds the school record. American at Ventura College. Rebecca Hamilton Gabrielle Broomfield has also showed strong is also expected to contribute in the javelin. development in the event. Rachel Hammar and freshmen Shari Harris O’Connor, Macey and Hamilton are expected and Alexandra Cervantes will handle the shot put, to compete in the heptathlon for The Beach. hammer and discus duties.

Nate Koch (left) and Nicholas Armstrong (right)

2010 Long Beach State Track and Field Media Guide We would like to take a moment to thank VS ATHLETICS (formerly Springco), for its continued support of the men’s and women’s program at Long Beach State.

VS ATHLETICS is also the proud sponsor of the Long Beach Invitational on April 16-17, 2010.

We would also like to give special recognition to VS Athletic executives Rich Benoy and Brian Springer (LBSU ‘63).

Thanks again from The Beach! 4 men’s Roster Introduction 4

ATHLETE YR EXP. EVENT(S) HOMETOWN PREVIOUS SCHOOL Jacob Ainsworth Sr. 2L Distances San Diego, Calif. Westview HS Nathan Alade Fr. HS Sprints/Jumps Bakersfield, Calif. Stockdale HS Raul Arcos So. 1L Distances Corona, Calif. Corona HS Nicholas Armstrong Jr. TR Decathlon Long Beach, Calif. Cerritos College Josh Arrieta Jr. 2L Distances El Dorado Hills, Calif. Oak Ridge HS Rajan Bains Jr. 2L Throws Fresno, Calif. Clovis West HS Danny Bang So. HS Jumps Downey, Calif. Downey HS Alex Black Sr. 3L Jumps Downey, Calif. Downey HS James Bush Jr. 1L Pole Vault Poway, Calif. Poway HS Richard Crawford Jr. 2L Sprints Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Rancho Cucamonga HS Brandon Dawes Jr. TR Pole Vault San Diego, Calif. Cuyamaca College Steven DeCastro ^ Jr. 2L Distances Harbor City, Calif. West Torrance HS Colin Dunbar Sr. 1L Throws Santa Barbara, Calif. Moorpark College Jonathan Evans Jr. 2L Mid-Distances Long Beach, Calif. Cabrillo HS Peter Fourtounis ^ Jr. 2L Throws Fountain Valley, Calif. La Quinta HS Alex Freitas Sr. 3L Distances Ceres, Calif. Modesto HS Cameron Gillett So. 1L Jumps Norwalk, Calif. La Mirada HS Alex Goldberg ^ Sr. 3L Sprints Woodbridge, Calif. Lodi HS Mario Granville So. 1L Mid-Distances Bell Gardens, Calif. Bell Gardens HS Bret Hasvold So. 1L Mid-Distances Fallbrook, Calif. Fallbrook HS Dylan Jaedtke* Sr. 3L Distances Simi Valley, Calif. Royal HS Kevin Jenkins Jr. TR Jumps El Cajon, Calif. Cuyamaca College Sam Jeter Jr. TR Hurdles Riverside, Calif. Riverside Community College Nick Kelley So. 1L Distances Apple Valley, Calif. Granite Hills HS Naveed Kharrat So. 1L Distances Anaheim, Calif. Katella HS Nate Koch ^ Sr. 1L Decathlon Temecula, Calif. Mt. San Antonio College Travis Kuhlman Jr. 2L Distances San Diego, Calif. Westview HS Matt Maldonado So. 1L Distances Modesto, Calif. Modesto HS Kenneth Medwood Sr. 1L Hurdles Los Angeles, Calif. East Los Angeles College Manny Neizer Jr. TR Jumps Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Kansas State Eric Nowell Jr. TR Jumps Compton, Calif. Riverside Community College Robert Pappas So. 1L Jumps San Jose, Calif. Leigh HS Spencer Phillips Jr. 2L Hurdles Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Rancho Cucamonga HS Nimrod Piggee Jr. 2L Hurdles Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Galt HS Cesar Puga Jr. TR Throws Salinas, Calif. Hartnell College Ryan Rosales Fr. HS Throws Santa Paula, Calif. Ventura HS Chris Sweeney So. 1L Sprints Mission Viejo, Calif. Capistrano Valley HS Mark Thomas Jr. 2L Distances San Diego, Calif. Poway HS Frank Vaickus Jr. TR Pole Vault Redondo Beach, Calif. El Camino College Michael Vaughan So. 1L Jumps Rosamond, Calif. Desert HS Louis Ward Jr. TR Sprints Lemon Grove, Calif. University of San Diego Brad Zarembski Sr. TR Jumps Maumee, Ohio Defiance College

^ - Team Captain * - Indoor eligibility only

Head Coach: Andy Sythe, 21st season Assistant Coach - Distances: Patrick Cunniff, 3rd season Assistant Coach - Sprints/Hurdles/Relays: Shaun Meinecke, 1st season Assistant Coach - Throws: Cory Loebl, 4th season Assistant Coach - Jumps: Dave Rodda, 10th season Assistant Distance Coach: Steve Cardinalli, 2nd season Volunteer Coach - Pole Vault: Jill Reynolds, 1st season

2010 Long Beach State Track and Field Media Guide 5 Women’s Roster Introduction 5

ATHLETE YR EXP. EVENT(S) HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Alisia Barajas So. 1L Distances Vista, Calif. Vista HS Missy Barclay ^ Sr. 3L Distances San Diego, Calif. Westview HS Jessica Barnard So. 1L Distances Temecula, Calif. Great Oak HS Kate Beighton Jr. 2L Pole Vault Anaheim, Calif. Los Alamitos HS Gabrielle Broomfield So. 1L Jumps Whittier, Calif. Sonora HS Alexandra Cervantes Fr. HS Throws Oxnard, Calif. Oxnard HS Janelle Coulter So. 1L Jumps Aptos, Calif. Aptos HS Laura Faris Sr. 1L Pole Vault Glendale, Ariz. Paradise Valley CC Brenda Finney ^ Sr. 1L Hurdles Huntington Beach, Calif. Orange Coast College Veronica Franco So. 1L Distances Irvine, Calif. Huntington Beach HS Prism Garcia Fr. HS Distances Norwalk, Calif. Santa Fe HS Stephanie Glick So. 1L Jumps Cupertino, Calif. Cupertino HS Katrina Graves-Johnson So. 1L Jumps Monrovia, Calif. Monrovia HS Rebecca Hamilton So. 1L Hurdles Huntington Beach, Calif. Mater Dei HS Rachel Hammar So. 1L Throws Winton, Calif. Buhach Colony HS Shari Harris Fr. HS Throws Thousand Oaks, Calif. Newbury Park HS Randi Hicks Jr. TR Throws Oxnard, Calif. Cal Poly Pomona Kayla Kamaka Fr. HS Pole Vault Roseville, Calif. Woodcreek HS Anastasiya Kholev Sr. 3L Hurdles Ashdad, Israel Kristen Kiefer So. 1L Hurdles/Sprints Mission Viejo, Calif. Capistrano Valley HS Amanda Klinchuch Fr. HS Pole Vault Bakersfield, Calif. Liberty HS Krissy Knowles Fr. HS Hurdles Fountain Valley, Calif. Fountain Valley HS Dee Lars So. 1L Sprints Arlington, Texas Kennedale HS Sara Macey So. 1L Jumps Oceanside, Calif. Vista HS Miia Mobley ^ Sr. 3L Jumps San Diego, Calif. Mt. Carmel HS Denise Nunez So. 1L Distances La Mirada, Calif. St. Joseph’s HS Tayler O’Connor Sr. 3L Jumps San Mateo, Calif. Mercy HS Liz Ramos So. TR Distances Calimesa, Calif. University of San Diego Annie Randall Fr. HS Distances Saugus, Calif. Saugus HS Jennifer Rodriguez Sr. 3L Mid-Distances Torrance, Calif. West HS Alex Shaw ^ Sr. 3L Javelin Milwaukie, Ore. Milwaukie HS Kim Sherman So. 1L Distances Fountain Valley, Calif. Fountain Valley HS Cheryl Smith Fr. HS Pole Vault Mission Viejo, Calif. Trabuco Hills HS Brianna Torrence Fr. HS Sprints Antelope, Calif. Oakmont HS Aiyana Welsh So. 1L Hurdles Palmdale, Calif. Highland HS

^ - Team Captain

2010 Long Beach State Track and Field Media Guide