2015 Outdoor Track and Field Schedule (PDF)
FULLERTON, Calif. - FullertonTitans.com caught up with Cal State Fullerton Track and Field head coach John Elders as his Titans prepare for the start of the Outdoor Track and Field season this week.
The team will be traveling to Las Vegas, Nev. as their only out-of-state meet in the 2015 regular season. The NCAA West Region Championships will be held in Austin, Tex. on May. 28-30 and the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., on June 10-13.
FullertonTitans.com – "As the Indoor season comes to a close, and the outdoor season starts up this week, update Titan fans on what this year's squad will bring to the table."
John Elders – "This year's squad is a great mix of seasoned veterans and young talent. You should also expect to see contributions from athletes in all the different event disciplines. This is an important year in the development of our program as we build to compete for the conference championship."
FullertonTitans.com – "There is a core group of seniors returning for their final season competing as Titans, give us some insight on who is coming back and what this senior class brings to the team. "
John Elders – "Having senior leadership is huge on any team, and we have some great senior leaders this season. For the men, Taylor Ros (400m), Bubba Ostrowski (Decathlon), and Daniel Walker (Javelin) all have competed at a high level in the Big West and look to do big things this year. Also, look out for Kenny Callinan (Javelin/Discuses), Nick Sole (Sprints), and Malek Walls (Sprints/Jumps) to make significant contributions this year."
"For the women, Tejera Dial (800m/1500m), Taylor Frank (Heptathlon) and Amanda Mercado (Hammer) are coming of great indoor campaigns. Also, look for Deena Pierce and Morgan Thompson. Deena, who had knee surgery in the fall, went to the NCAA's the past two years in the 400H and should round in to form by mid-season. Morgan was 2012 FOY in the Big West and is really returning to form."
FullertonTitans.com – "Any new faces that we need to be looking out for as this new season starts up?"
John Elders – "We have some great newcomers to this year's squad. For the men, Trevor Gorwin (Shot/Hammer) and Mason Guzman-Sanchez join the Titans after making the CA State Meet as high school seniors. Another newcomer to watch is Nick Reynolds (Hurdles). Reynolds transferred from RCC in fall of 2013 but took a year off from track. He's back, better than ever and looks to be a force in the Big West."
"For the women, the freshman class is led by two accomplished prep hurdlers, Tyler Hardge & India Owens. Another freshman that could be a surprise contributed this year is jumper Laura Hamann. After a strong finisher to her indoor season look for JC transfer Jessica Flores to make a splash for the Lady Titans in the throws."
FullertonTitans.com – "Talk a little bit about the difficulties that the transition from indoor track season and field to outdoor track and field season can bring."
John Elders – "The transition from indoor to outdoor is not that tough. It actually gives the girls a head start of sorts on getting competition ready. That being said some of them will rest or have a light workload at our first outdoor meet this weekend at RCC to recover from traveling and competing in Seattle last weekend."
FullertonTitans.com – "As the outdoor track and field season opens, what are your goals as a team in 2015?"
John Elders - "Our main goal this year is to build a championship culture and lay the foundation for our program to annually compete for conference championships. That starts with the training like a champion and then competing like a champion. Performance wise we're looking to significantly improve upon our conference finishes from last year and we think we have a group that can accomplish that. LET'S GO TITAN TRACK!!!"
The Titans are scheduled to open the 2015 season at the Riverside Community College Open in Riverside, Calif. on Mar. 7.