April 24, 2005

The Gauchos competed in Fresno, CA this weekend at the Cal-Nev. Championships. Cal-Nevada's have in the past been a great west-coast competition but in recent years have lost some of its depth with many teams staying at home or leaving some athletes at home in preparation for championship meets in May.

UCSB resting many as well brought only a half roster. Nonetheless, those competing represented well with two new Big West qualifying marks. In the team scoring competition the Fresno State women took home the team title for 2005.

On the women's side another good 1500m competition for the Gauchos marked the afternoon. After Friday's trials, UCSB qualified five athletes into Saturday's finals. Led by Nevada's Kali Baker from the gun, the pack came through just under 2:30 through 800m. The gaucho ladies were running strong slowly moving up into position for the last lap of this metric mile. With 500m to go, Freshman Bethany Nickless coming off of a school record performance in the steeplechase a week ago was slowly moving to the front. A 4:44 previous personal best, Nickless was well on her way to breaking that time as she pulled into second place trying to reel in Nevada's Baker.

With second place secure, Nickless kept rolling through the line taking ten seconds off her best finishing in 4:34.13. The other four Gauchos also had personal best breaking races with Seann Martin (Jr.) grabbing 6th in 4:40.81, Ashlee Drady (So.) racing to a 4:44.83, Christie Farson (So.) setting a best of 4:49.24 and Leslie Alexander rounding things up in 4:50.20.

On the field, Heather Quinn (Jr.) started off the morning with the Hammer Throw finals. Entering the meet ranked 7th, she finished in that exact position tossing it 171-05 in Saturday's final. In the women's high jump Devon Tracy leaped 5'06 in the finals to tie for third while (So.)Rachel Elbinger (Sr.) tied for seventh leaping 5'04" in a great competition for herself.

Elbinger entered the meet without a Big West qualifying mark and a season best of 5'02.25" set a week ago. On Friday she qualified for finals with a seasonal best 5'03" and Big West qualifying mark and then leaped 5'04" in Saturday's final tying her personal best set in 2001. Entering an important stretch of competition in her senior year, Rachel is bringing plenty of momentum into May.

The Gauchos travel to San Luis Obispo this coming Saturday with a five way meet versus Cal Poly SLO, Fresno St., Northridge and Sacramento St. On Sunday night, May 1st a few select distance athletes will be competing at the Cardinal Invitational in Palo Alto, CA attempting to increase their odds at a NCAA Championship bid.