FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton men's track and field collected two Big West Conference honors on Wednesday as the league announced its yearly award winners. Head Coach John Elders was selected as the Men's Coach of the Year for the second straight year and Rasaun House was named Men's Freshman of the Year.

Elders repeated as Men's Coach of the Year while leading his Cal State Fullerton program to a second consecutive Big West championship.  In his 30th year, the school's longest-tenured head coach oversaw the victory at the Matador Track & Field Complex as his squad collected 154 points – 21 more than the 2017 champions.  He coached his team to three Big West event victories – the 4x100 relay, Mason Guzman-Sanchez in the 110 meter hurdles and Thaddeus Smith in the 100 meter dash.  The Titans have won the 4x100 relay race for three straight years after not taking first place in any of the previous 46 meets.  In winning the overall team title, the strong depth Elders built was on display as the team scored the lion's share of its points with five second place and four third place finishes.  His troops also collected nine Big West Athlete of the Week awards this season.

The selection of House (Perris, Calif./Rancho Verde HS) as Men's Freshman of the Year is a first for the Cal State Fullerton program since the award began in 2005.  The sprinter played a key role in helping the Titans to win their second straight Big West championship.  House competed in four events, scoring 13 individual points and contributing to 15 more as a member of both relay teams.  He finished in second place with a time of 21.46 seconds in the 200 meters.  In the 100 meter dash, he grabbed fourth place in 10.65.  House ran the leadoff leg on the victorious 4x100 relay team that posted a season-best time of 40.20 for 10 more points.  He also led off on the 4x400 relay squad, which placed fourth in 3:15.71.  House made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut with three second-place finishes at the Riverside City College Quad Meet, leading to his selection as Big West Men's Track Athlete of the Week.  He ran a career-best 10.44 in his 100 meter debut which is tied for the No. 3 mark in the Big West this season. 

Also honored on Wednesday were the All-Big West honorees. The top three finishers in each event at the Big West Track and Field Championship are designated "All-Conference."

SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitans.com/Tickets. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday.

FOLLOW THE TITANS
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titans athletics by following us on Facebook (@FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans), and Instagram (@FullertonTitans) and Snapchat (FullertonTitans). In addition, the track and field and cross country teams have established their own official Twitter page (@FullertonTFXC) and Facebook Page (@FullertonTFXC).