FULLERTON, Calif. - Head coach John Elders is gearing up for his 28th track and field season as the women's indoor team opens their 2016 season this Friday at the NAU Friday Night Duals in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Elders sat down with FullertonTitans.com to chat about the 2016 squad and what Titan fans can expect to see from them this season.
www.FullertonTitans.com: What are you looking forward to for the 2016 season?
John Elders: I told the kids when we got back from break that it's track season, and it's always exciting when track season starts. I'm excited and I think this year really has potential to be a banner year for the track and field program. Not just in terms of individual performances but also as a team. I think there's a very legitimate shot that we'll challenge our best finishes in the Big West and also our school record for total points, so those things are definitely in jeopardy this year.
FT: You have a pretty solid group of returners and a lot of new faces out on the track this season. Who should we look out for?
JE: Well, on the men's side we have a couple strong senior leaders in Josh Gordon, who was our scholar-athlete last year, and Nick Reynolds, so those two from a leadership and competitive standpoint really bring a lot to the table. In the throws, Trevor Gorwin, who was a promising freshman last year, is definitely going to be in the mix this year in the shot and the hammer along with Steven Parsons, who's a fifth-year senior. We can look for Paris Pijuan in the pole vault who had a really strong year in the conference as a freshman so we're looking for him to go to the next level. In our jumps, all of our men are new but we've always had a really strong history in the jumps so we're looking for that to continue.
On the women's side we have Janaya Shorty (sprints) coming back who is just a phenomal talent. We also have Tyler Hardge coming back who won the conference as a freshman in the 400m hurdles. Jessica Flores in the hammer is someone to look for, she made it to NCAA's last season and is someone we're excited for. Ty'Jalayah Robertson is really competitive in both the triple jump and high jump and is a very versatile athlete. On the distance side, we have two girls who led us in cross country who definitely have potential to score in the Big West in Emily Taylor and Sierra Ungerman.
FT: We see a new face on your staff this year in coach Cortney Stafford who is in charge of your jumps and combined events. Tell us a little bit about what she brings to the table?
JE: I've just been so impressed with her and I'm very blessed with the staff that I have. I was really impressed with her demeanor and professionalism and I'm not sure if you know this, but she is the Big West Conference record holder in the triple jump. She has that credibility as a really great athlete and has a real command of what she's doing. She's been a great influence on the kids and I'm really happy to have that on board.
FT: Do you have any goals for the team this season?
JE: For our indoor season, we're definitely looking to improve our point total from last season and hopefully have a few more athletes score points which is really the main goal, to just show improvement there. Now for outdoor track, I really feel like both squads have the opportunity to be at least top four. Right now it's hard to say with such a young group but I think you're going to see significant improvement from last year in our point totals and in our placing. It should be a really really exciting year.
FT: Is there anything else you would like to add about this season?
JE: I just think that this is a really foundational year with this program with the experienced kids that we have as seniors mixed with a really large freshman class. We have great student leadership and there is a really really good team vibe from this group that you can feel out there. There is a lot of excitement and I think that the meets are going to be really fun this year.
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Be sure to join the Titans at their 2nd Annual "Sprint Into Spring" fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Florentine's Grill in Fullerton, Calif.
The evening will consist of two alcoholic drink tickets, heavy appetizers, soft drinks and a chance to mingle with the 2016 coaching staff.
The night will also include a silent auction along with the opportunity to hear from head coach John Elders with a 2016 season preview.
Floretine's Grill is located at 102 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA, 92832 and tickets are $60 dollars per person or $500 for a table sponsorship which includes four tickets and a reserved table. All proceeds will go directly to the track program.
Contact Lauren Schoenherr at 657-278-7034 or laschoenherr@fullerton.edu with any questions.
To sign up for the "Sprint into Spring" fundraiser follow the link here.