With 2010 Track and Field Season starting this month, the UCR Highlanders look to improve upon last season's success. Last season at the Big West Championships hosted in Irvine, the men's Track and Field team had its best finish in Highlander Division I history, placing sixth. The UCR women's team took an impressive third place finish. This season, both men's and women's teams will look forward with new aspirations from wiser veterans, and energetic talent from the freshmen.
The women's team will be led by two-time All-American, Brenda Martinez, who looks to build upon her personal last season success, after being named the Big West Female Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
However, the UCR Highlanders will also need the efforts from all their teams, from the track, sprints to long distance and from the field, long jump to shot-put, to better last year's accomplishments.
Both Track & Field teams kicked off their season on Saturday, Jan. 30 as they competed head to head at the UW Invitational. The invitational was held at the University of Washington's Dempsey Indoor facility. There, the Highlanders were able to see competition from athletes around the US.
The Highlanders did well, in their respective events, and had an athlete breaking a school record. High Jumper Karen Han jumped her way into the UCR record books clearing 1.72m in the high jump. The Highlanders will compete again at the indoor Husky Classic Track Meet on Saturday Feb. 13, 2010.
Also, senior Allison Wilder broke the UCR record in the triple jump with an attempt of 12.62 meters.
The men's 100 meter relay also notched a new UCR record, recording a time of 3:16.57 on the legs of Jerome Rideaux, Marcus Marbrey, Bryan Adams and Sean Ferrera.
The Highlanders will get their next taste of competition two Saturdays from now in the same venue. They will travel back to Seattle to participate in the Husky Classic on Feb. 13, 2009.
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