CSUN Could String Big Sky Along

Two winning streaks are on the line for Cal State Northridge when the Matadors compete in the Big Sky Conference indoor track and field championships at Northern Arizona starting today.

The Northridge women are shooting for their second consecutive indoor title and their third consecutive Big Sky title overall after winning the outdoor championship on their home track in May.

In addition, senior Brandi Prieto of Northridge tries to become the first athlete to win four consecutive conference titles in the same event when she competes in the women’s triple jump on Saturday.

Prieto, who could also score in the 55-meter high hurdles, long jump and high jump, is one of four Northridge women defending individual titles in the two-day meet.

Juniors Annetta Wells, Nancy James and Jennifer Capehart are the others.

Wells, defending champion in the 200, will try to win that event and the 400, as she did in the outdoor championships.

James, a 400 specialist during her career at Hart High, will attempt to win the 800 and mile for the second consecutive time after using the outdoor season as a redshirt year.

Capehart will try to win the pole vault for the second year in a row.

Sophomore Krystal Harris of Northridge could provide Wells with her toughest competition in the 200. She leads the conference with a best of 24.02 seconds and Wells is second at 24.50.

Northern Arizona, Weber State and Idaho State are expected to be the Matadors’ biggest challengers for the team title.

Defending champion Weber State, Idaho State and Northern Arizona should battle for the men’s title but Northridge could break into the top three.

Junior Clinte Motley of Northridge, the two-time defending champion in the triple jump, won the long jump last year and the high jump in 1998.

Matador junior Tim Brown leads the conference in the 55 and will compete in the long jump.

Senior Billy Bush of Northridge is first in the shotput and second in the 35-pound weight throw.