Top Northridge Performers to Miss Opening Track Meet

Although the track and field season begins today for Cal State Northridge, some of the Matadors’ top performers will not compete in the seven-team non-scoring meet at CSUN.

Darcy Arreola and Will James, NCAA Division II All-Americans, will be among those Northridge athletes who will not race until March 4. All-American hurdler Tyrone Jeffries will compete, but in the sprints, not in his specialties.

In addition to Northridge, teams from USC (men only), Azusa Pacific, Cal Lutheran, Cal State Fullerton, Westmont and Valley College have entered.

Field events will begin at 11 a.m. and running events at 12:30 p.m.

USC is sending a team, but it will not include freshman sprinter Quincy Watts, who won three state titles during his career at Taft High.

“Because the recent weather caused a lot of people to alter some workouts, everyone is treating this meet real tenderly,” Northridge Coach Don Strametz said. “I think you’ll see some competitive races, but I don’t expect to see a lot of great times. It’s just too early in the season.”

Arreola, the NCAA Division II champion in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters, redshirted the 1988 cross-country season because a long and arduous track season left her injured and mentally fatigued. She is healthy again but will not compete until a five-team meet at Northridge in two weeks.

James set the school record of 3 minutes, 43.42 seconds in the 1,500 meters while placing fifth in the 1987 Division II championships but redshirted last season because of an injury. He suffered a similar--though less serious--injury three weeks ago but also is expected to race in two weeks.

A fine group of Northridge freshmen will be on display today, including former Saugus High standout Damiean Jenkins.

Jenkins placed third in the discus in last year’s state championships at Cerritos College with a personal best of 178 feet, 11 inches.