120426_sp_TrackandFieldPreview
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Headline: Track and Field Preview
Event: Causeway Dual vs. Sacramento State
Where: Hornet Stadium — Sacramento
When: Friday, all-day Friday
Who to watch: Junior Emily Bush spearheaded the field aspect of last week’s Woody Wilson Memorial Classic when she broke the school record for the women’s pole vault.
The Orangevale, Calif. native earned the Big West Conference Female Field Athlete of the Week after clearing 4.02m, nine inches higher than her previous personal record.
Did you know? Bush was one of three Aggies to earn conference honors this week. She was joined by seniors Jonathan Peterson and Sarah Sumpter, who pulled Big West Male and Female Track Athlete of the Week, respectively.
Preview: This weekend puts Aggie Pride on the line as UC Davis travels across the Causeway to face its rival, the Sacramento State Hornets.
The Aggies have been breaking personal and school records left and right lately. Head coach Drew Wartenburg hopes that the team can continue on this trajectory all the way to the conference championships in a few weeks.
“We’re finally getting our rhythm back and really look to solidify things next weekend,” Wartenburg said.
Sumpter and Peterson are expected to lead the Aggie track athletes this weekend. Last weekend, Peterson became the first Aggie in school history to break the 14 minute mark in the 5,000m after clocking a time of 13:56.78.
Sumpter and sophomore Alycia Cridebring dominated last weekend’s 1,500m, closing for a 1-2 Aggie finish.
Bush is joined by top field athletes senior Ethan Ostrum and sophomore Brandon Greenberg. Ostrum has been earning titles and records for men’s pole vault and Greenberg has achieved some of his longest distance in shot put recently.
Senior Igor Seriba won the men’s triple jump during Picnic Day’s Woody Wilson meet. He was joined in the winner’s circle by the men’s 4X400m relay.
The Aggie relay teams have performed well over the last few weeks. Both men’s and women’s relays have captured titles or challenged school records.
The diversity of talent on UC Davis’ team is key to a successful season. Meets are won by the team with the most points at the end of the day, so it is important to be capable in all facets of the sport.
The Aggies have been consistent throughout their past few meets, and they have been placing well against conference competition. If UC Davis continues its dominant streak they should be able to cross back over the Causeway with a victory on Friday night.
— KIM CARR