Cross-Country Teams at CSUN Will Run Deep

Cal State Northridge cross-country Coach Don Strametz describes this year’s Matador squad--both men’s and women’s teams--as his deepest in several years.

But don’t expect either team to be at its best when the season opens with the Fresno Invitational at Woodward Park this morning.

Strametz said that because he worked his team hard throughout the week, his expectations would not be high. “I usually don’t run them too hard on a Thursday before a meet,” Strametz said, “but I did today.”

Northridge will send an 11-man and eight-woman contingent to Fresno as Strametz attempts to pick the seven runners from each squad who will run in next week’s Aztec Invitational in San Diego.

“Based on workouts, there are seven or eight guys who could be our top man right now,” Strametz said. “It seems like every day in workouts, somebody different stands out.”

Juniors Jorge Castro, an NCAA Division II All-American in 1987, and Derik Vett are the veterans on a young team that has no seniors competing for the top position.

Sasha Vujic, the school freshman record-holder in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, and Jeff Gilkey are the leading sophomores, and Erick McBride and Jorge Rodriguez are highly regarded freshmen. Gerardo Vaca, a redshirt freshman, has shown promise.

Darcy Arreola is Northridge’s top women’s runner, but the NCAA Division II All-American will not race until the Riverside Invitational in two weeks.

Sophomores Kelly Tremmell and Megan Warner and freshman Laura Doering are expected to compete for the Lady Matadors’ top position in Arreola’s absence.

Senior Gena Jauregui, who placed sixth in the Division II 1,500 meter championships last spring, has been ill much of the week and is questionable for today’s meet.

The men’s 10,000-meter race will start at 9 a.m. and the women’s 5,000 will begin at 10.