Relay Teams, Hurdlers Pace CSUN Finalists

Cal State Northridge survived what Coach Don Strametz called a “bad day” during the second day of competition at the NCAA Division II outdoor track and field championships at Angelo State University on Thursday.

“I say it was a bad day because we were not really as aggressive as we were on Wednesday,” Strametz said.

As it was, Tyrone Jeffries and Robin Stinson advanced to today’s finals in the men’s and women’s 400-meter hurdles, and both 1,600-meter relay also qualified.

But Kevin Hendrix, who runs in the 200-meter final today, failed to qualify in the 400. Bothered by a sore quadricep, Hendrix placed fifth (47.05 seconds) in the first heat.

The sophomore from Edison High in Fresno did come back, however, running a 45.7 anchor leg on the Matadors’ 1,600 relay team, which placed third in heat one with a season best of 3:11.30.

Dwana Farr failed to qualify for the finals in the women’s 100 low hurdles, running 14.26.

Other Northridge finalists today include Vaughan Kastor in the men’s 800; Dave Swanson in the high jump; Darcy Arreola in the 3,000 meters and the Northridge women’s 400-meter relay team.

Northridge sprint coach Tony Veney said he was surprised at Thursday’s effort, especially that of he men’s relay team.

Veney said that he talked to Hendrix about not running but that the sprinter told him that he felt he had worked too hard and come too far to give up without an effort.