SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's track and field team and men's cross country team are back in action this weekend hosting the ninth annual Distance Carnival, a two day track and field meet that is the biggest in the meet's history.
The Distance Carnival features teams from all three divisions as well as teams from NAIA and junior colleges, there will be schools from 29 states, including teams from Mexico and Canada competing this weekend at Cox Stadium. All told, there will be over 1,700 athletes competing in over 2,400 events.
"I don't think anyone thought this meet would grow into what it has become," said head men's cross country coach and meet organizer
Tom Lyons. "We're just trying to make sure the carnival doesn't become a circus."
The 2016 Distance Carnival is the largest in the events history, surpassing last year's record breaking meet. In the nine years since the meets creation, the Distance Carnival has grown exponentially every year, eventually expanding to a two-day event and a full track and field meet three years ago.
"It all started by suggestion from a couple of coaches (Friess and Garlatz from Alaska Anchorage; Towne from Chico State; Montoro from Santa Clara) who wanted opportunities for their distance runners in addition to the ones who qualified for Stanford," added Lyons. "It became a two-day meet at the suggestion of another coach (Pesch, Humboldt) who wanted to travel his whole team this weekend. My goal is to put on a meet that the coaches and athletes enjoy. We have one of the nicest facilities in the country with the benefit of ideal weather conditions all day long. Our timing crew (Red Cap) and starters (Buettner, Busto) and loyal clerks/officials (Herman, Van Buskirk, Colman, and Sheehan) make this meet happen. I appreciate all the enthusiasm that everyone brings to this meet. It's going to be another fantastic weekend and we'll likely see a few meet records fall once again!"
The women's track and field team will once again be sending a full contingent of its athletes to compete in several events. The Gators will have 30 athletes competing in 14 events. Highlighting the list of athletes competing are
Adriana Calva, the SF State record holder in the steeplechase, she will be looking to set a provisional mark in the event she has owned the last two years.
Also competing in several events is CCAA Track and Field athlete of the Week,
Nicole Uikilifi. Uikilifi will be competing in the discus, shot put, and javelin. Last weekend at the Cal Poly Invitational she set a provisional mark in the hammer and set a season-best mark in the shot.
The men's cross country team will also be competing as part of their spring season. Running in the 10k will be
Drew Feldman,
Benji Preciado, and
Kenny Trejo. All three runners have run sub 15 minutes in the 5k earlier this spring. At this event last year, Feldman finished the 10k with a time of 30.23, a time that would be the schools record.
Austin Magin and
Andrew Selevos will be running in the 5K for SF State.
Live stats will be provided for both today, they can be accessed on the women's track and field schedule page. For up to the minute updates on the Distance Carnival be sure to follow the Gators on twitter
@SFState_Gators.
Live Results Distance Carnival Meet Information--
About San Francisco State AthleticsGator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling. Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
