| 49ERS READY FOR BIG WEST BATTLE
Beach Looks to Retain Championship Trophy at Big West Challenge April 2, 2003
LONG BEACH, CA -- The Long Beach State track and field team will travel to UC Irvine this Saturday to compete in the Big West Challenge. Long Beach State, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Fullerton will battle to see who will take home the coveted Challenge Cup trophy. Last year, The Beach captured both the men's and women's team trophy and hope to continue their winning ways.
On the men's side, thrower Cory Loebl (Portland, OR) will once again be leading the way. Loebl will be competing in all four throwing events, including the javelin.This will be the first meet Loebl will be competing in the javelin since last season, and has a shot at the regional qualifying mark. Haben Hagos (Los Angeles, CA) will lead the men's jumps as he competes in all three events (long, triple and high).
Jamaal James (Moreno Valley, CA) is still a question mark going into Saturday's meet as he continues to recover from a back injury. James will be competing in a limited capacity due to his injury. Adding depth will be Jason Dolison (Sacramento, CA) in the sprints, Jake Kruczynski (Pacific, CA) in the 800m and 1500m, and Terrance Wroblewski (Half Moon Bay, CA) in the 5000m.
"We can win this meet if we are at our best this weekend," said Head Coach Andy Sythe. "The other teams competing have made great gains this season and it should be a battle to the very end to determine who comes out the winner." On the women's side, thrower Stephanie Sampson (Yorba Linda, CA) will compete in shot put, discus, and hammer to lead the team. Sampson holds the meet record in the hammer throw for this meet. Gladys Iwuaba (San Diego, CA) will compete in the triple jump. Iwuaba holds the meet record for this event. Nina Grubbs (Phoenix, AZ) will add points in the shot put, as well as compete in the long jump, high jump, javelin and 100m hurdles. Gina Londono (Palmdale, CA) looks to battle for first place in the 100m hurdles after an improving season. Charlende Deardorff (San Jose, CA) will lead the women in the sprints, while Holly Lipscomb (El Segundo, CA) will lead the way in the long jump, and aid in the triple jump and relays. Jennifer Yadon (Lancaster, CA) will lead the women distance team, while teammate Veronica Capron (Oxnard, CA) will add depth in the middle distance races. "UC Irvine and Fullerton are the favorites,' said Coach Sythe, 'but we have a shot at winning it if everyone steps up." |
