CSUN Shines at Division II Track Final

Six Cal State Northridge athletes earned All-America honors and three posted lifetime bests in the third day of competition at the NCAA Division II track and field championships.

In the women’s division, senior Penny Franklin and freshman Darcy Arreola set personal bests. Franklin’s 19-6 3/4 in the long jump placed fourth. Arreola was second at 800 meters in 2:05.73, followed by senior Jennie Stachura’s sixth-place finish in 2:10.24.

Nancy Bowman, a senior who finished fifth at 3,000 meters with a 9:30.20, also earned All-America honors with Franklin, Arreola and Stachura.

CSUN is sixth in the women’s division with 20 points, trailing defending champion Abilene Christian (84), San Luis Obispo (64), Alabama A&M; (40), Seattle Pacific (40) and Hampton (22).

In men’s competition, Gary Jackson’s lifetime best of 25-5 1/2 was good for third in the long jump. For the first time in Division II history, all eight competitors in the event passed the 25-foot mark as the lead changed seven times in the last eight jumps. Jackson, a senior, earned All-America honors for the second straight year.

In the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, freshman Tyrone Jeffries finished sixth (52.79) to earn All-America honors. Freshman Walt Stewart finished 13th in the high jump at 6-9 3/4.

In the men’s overall standings, five-time defending champion Abilene Christian leads with 64 points, followed by Southeast Missouri State (56) and St. Augustine’s (31).

Northridge competitors today include Lolita Pile, Terri Davidson and Willie Hannon in the triple jump; Colleen Gainey in the javelin; Will James, Tina Cheney, Arreola and Stachura in the 1,500; and Dave Walsh and Bowman in the 5,000.