by David Sutton
Sports Editor
Coming out of the blocks, the University of La Verne’s track team opened its season at the Caltech Invitational on Feb. 11.
“Some people did well and some didn’t do so well,” said Head Coach Pat Widolff.
The team hopes to improve by its Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) opener March 4 at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
Coach Widolff feels that this year’s group of male sprinters may be the strong point of the team. Top returner Eric Gleason hopes to improve on his school record in the 400 meter event.
“We have a lot of good new sprinters,” said Widolff.
The top newcomers are Fred Brashear, Guillermo Escalante, Bart Evans, Chris Malone, Michael McClendon and Marc Tyler. The men’s distance runners are led by Brian Ward, Gilbert Gomez and Jesus Luna.
If you ask someone about the men’s field events and they shy away from the question, it is because the two top shot put throwers are not throwing. Kelly Mattson and Sal Lopez are out due to injuries and are expected to contribute heavily when they return. William English will join the team as a high jumper as soon as his basketball commitment is done. Long jumpers Kirk Legget and Mark Reed hope to improve this year. Legget will also compete as the teams only triple jumper.
Coach Widolff has stressed weight training this year. The team has set workouts and their coach is very happy.
“I’m excited that the kids are working hard and that we have a great coaching staff,” said Widolff.
The women also hope for good things in 1995.
“Not as many women came out as I hoped for,” said Widolff.
Two former cross country runners, Jill Perkins and Monica Patino, will run long distance events for the women’s team.
Jacqui Zwissler and Erika Spencer will compete for the Leopards in the triple and long jumps. Spencer will also compete as a heptathlete. Tori Bare, Natalie Lehr and Kari Trotter hope to contribute largely this year as well.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will be in action tomorrow in Claremont at the Pomona-Pitzer All Comers meet. The events start at 9 a.m.
David Sutton
