April 25, 2000
BERKELEY, Calif. - California hosts the seventh-annual California-Nevada State Track and Field Championships, Sat.-Sun., April 29-30, at Edwards Stadium. Approximately 700 athletes representing 34 teams from the states of California and Nevada descend on Berkeley this weekend to compete for state bragging rights. Athletes had to meet strict qualification standards, so each team is represented by a varying number of athletes. Saturday's competition consists primarily of preliminary events from approximately 8 a.m.-6:10 p.m. Sunday's finals run from approximately 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
CALIFORNIA-NEVADA MEET HISTORY
The Cal men look to defend their 1999 title, while the UCLA women return to defend their crown. The Bears claimed their first title, edging Fresno State 138-134. The Bruins won their fifth state crown, outdistancing their nearest competitor, Nevada, 198-81. Cal finished third with 79 points. Bolota Asmerom is Cal's only returning individual champion, winning the 1999 1500m in 3:52.50.
BRUCE DRUMMOND INVITATIONAL IN REVIEW
Cal sent a small group of athletes to the Bruce Drummond Invitational at Sacramento State last weekend, while the rest of the team rested for this week's meet. The 400m hurdles stood out for the Cal men and women with four runners posting personal best marks ? April Holliverse (62.71), Lisa O'Connor (64.09), Shalonda Reynolds (64.12) and Bruce Giron (53.06 ? Pac-10 qualifying). The 400m also saw Shavone Jennings (56.23), Missy Vanek (57.63) and Mark Blanco (49.52) record PRs.
CAL ON TELEVISION AT LEAST TWICE
Set your VCRs if you're planning to attend the California-Nevada State Championships this weekend. FOX Sports Net Bay Area will show tape delayed broadcasts of two of Cal's meets from earlier in the season. The Brutus Hamilton meet is April 30, at noon following the Arizona Quadrangular, which is at 11 a.m. The Brutus Hamilton meet was originally schedule to air at 4 p.m. on April 29.
BEARS RANKED AMONG THE PAC-10 BEST
In the April 24 Pac-10 rankings, many Bears are ranked among the top three in various categories. On the women's side, junior Missy Vanek is first in the heptathlon (5554 points), junior Reynda King is second in the triple jump (42-0.75) and sophomore Jennifer Joyce is third in the hammer (201-4). For the Cal men, Asmerom is first in the 5000m (13:32.48), senior Bevan Hart is first in the decathlon (7620 points), the 4x100m relay (40.39) is third and freshman Robert Kennedy is second in the long jump (25-1.25).
TWO SPORT ATHLETES EXCEL FOR CAL
Strength and speed are the hallmark of many sports at Cal. As a result, it's only natural that Cal has seven two-sport athletes on its track and field team (not including athletes participating in track and cross country). On the women's side, redshirt sophomore Kenya Corley, a starting guard on the basketball team, has recorded the Bears top mark in the long jump (20-1.75) this season. Genevieve Swedor, a center on the basketball team, has shown potential in the triple jump (37-4). On the men's side, five athletes also compete on the football team. Phillip Pipersburg, Jo Echema and LaShaun Ward are all sprinters, while Zech Whittington and Nate DeSomber compete in the throws.
