Arreola Turns Up Speed a Notch as CSUN Women Capture Second

For Darcy Arreola of Cal State Northridge, Saturday’s quadrangular track meet against UCLA, Azusa Pacific and Cal State Long Beach was an omen of things to come. The freshman from Grossmont High in La Mesa won the 1,500 meters and placed second in the 800, leading the Lady Matadors to a second-place finish.

UCLA, which tied for seventh in the 1986 NCAA championships, won the meet with 90 points and CSUN scored 40 1/2. Long Beach (29) and Azusa Pacific (16 1/2) placed third and fourth, respectively.

In dual-meet scoring, CSUN (6-1) lost to UCLA, 94-41, but defeated Long Beach, 81-54, and Azusa Pacific, 105 1/2-29 1/2.

The Northridge men, led by Walt Stewart’s freshman school record of 6-10 3/4 in the high jump, also placed second behind UCLA. The Bruins, who placed eighth at the 1986 national championships, scored 110 points, Northridge scored 39, Azusa Pacific had 25 and Long Beach scored 19.

In dual-meet scoring, CSUN (5-2) lost to UCLA, 112-42, but defeated Azusa Pacific, 86-78, and Long Beach, 84-63.

Saturday’s meet marked the first time this season that Arreola has run at full speed. Arreola was sidelined for three weeks this past winter because of a knee injury, and Northridge Coach Don Strametz has brought her back slowly, instructing her to race conservatively in the first two meets.

But on Saturday he pulled out the stops.

Arreola took the early lead in the 1,500 and finished in a personal best of 4:22.79. In the 800 she renewed her rivalry with high school nemesis Laura Chapel, now at UCLA. Chapel, the 1986 state champion at 800 meters, was victorious in 2:09.58 but Arreola pushed her the entire race, placing second in 2:09.74.

Arreola’s times were both freshman school records and she now has qualified for the NCAA Division II championships in both races.

Arreola said afterward she was pleased with her performances. “I felt really strong,” she said. “That’s the best I’ve felt this season.”