49er track and field heads south for Aztec Invitational

3/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field

March 11, 2010

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach State track and field team continues the outdoor season this weekend as it sends a small contingent of athletes to the Aztec Invitational in San Diego on Saturday, March 13.

Nicholas Armstrong opens the action for The Beach with the men's long jump at 11 a.m. He will also take part in the shot put, 110m hurdles and pole vault later in the afternoon. In addition to Armstrong's four events, Nimrod Piggee (110H), Kevin Jenkins (triple jump), Brandon Dawes (pole vault), James Bush (pole vault) and Kayla Kamaka (pole vault) are also slated to compete.

HICKS SETS BIG WEST RECORD TO EARN FIRST WEEKLY HONOR
Junior Randi Hicks was named the Big West Conference Women's Field Athlete of the Week following her record-setting performance at the Ben Brown Invitational on March 6.

The Oxnard, Calif., native established a Big West and school record in the javelin as she won the event with her effort of 170-10. Hicks, who bettered her previous lifetime best by over 18 feet, topped the conference record of 169-04, which was held by LBSU alum Kim Heinz.

49ERS NET 32 BIG WEST QUALIFYING MARKS AT BEN BROWN INVITE
In addition to Randi Hicks' record-breaking javelin throw, the Long Beach State track and field team had 31 other conference qualifying marks at the Ben Brown Invitational last Saturday.

Senior Alex Shaw completed a 1-2 finish for The Beach in the women's javelin, recording a distance of 164-01. Sophomore Katrina Graves-Johnson also had a runner-up finish in the high jump, clearing a personal-record 5-07.

On the men's side, junior transfer Sam Jeter highlighted the day, winning the 400-meter hurdles with a lifetime-best 52.28. Senior Kenneth Medwood added a fourth-place performance in the 400m dash, clocking in at 48.85 seconds.

Complete List of 49er Big West Qualifiers
Men: Rajan Bains (Shot Put, Discus), Alex Black (High Jump), Peter Fourtounis (Shot Put, Discus, Hammer), Steven DeCastro (5000m), Cameron Gillett (Long Jump), Kevin Jenkins (Triple Jump, High Jump), Sam Jeter (400H), Matt Maldonado (5000m), Kenneth Medwood (400m), Nimrod Piggee (110H), Cesar Puga (Shot Put, Discus), Ryan Rosales (Shot Put, Javelin), Brad Zarembski (High Jump).

Women: Alisia Barajas (5000m), Brenda Finney (400H), Katrina Graves-Johnson (High Jump), Rachel Hammar (Javelin), Randi Hicks (Javelin), Kayla Kamaka (Pole Vault), Kristen Kiefer (100H), Anastasiya Kholev (400H), Sara Macey (High Jump), Annie Randall (5000m), Jennifer Rodriguez (5000m), Alex Shaw (Javelin), Cheryl Smith (Pole Vault).

BLACK TO BE HONORED AS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Senior Alex Black has been named Long Beach State's Big West Male Scholar Athlete of the Year. Black is a two-time NCAA West Regional qualifier and a three-time conference high jump finalist. During the 2010 indoor season, Black established a lifetime-best and NCAA Provisional qualifying mark of 7-00.25. That height also ranks him third in school history.

Black, a mechanical engineering major, has seen much success in the classroom as well. He is a multiple Big West and MPSF All-Academic honoree and was named to CSULB's Dean's List.

UP NEXT
Long Beach State returns to action next weekend when it makes the short trip to Los Angeles for the USC Invitational, March 19-20.