After a less than satisfying performance in the indoor portion of its schedule, the Sacramento State track and field team dominated the Third Annual Bruce Drummond Invitational Saturday at Hornet Stadium.

The Drummond Invitational was the first outdoor meet of the Hornets? season, and the men?s and women?s teams defended their home track by combining for an 8-1 record.

“This was good for us,” Hornet coach Joe Neff said. “We don?t bring our (athletes) around so that they peak in February. We want to peak in April and May for the outdoor championships.”

The Hornets have struggled all season long with an undermanned roster.

Hornet track and field athletes have dealt with everything from pregnancy to personal problems this year.

Sophomore Shanita Bryant is still suffering from a hamstring injury and teammates Melissa Madison and Tina Limon are still banged up as well.

“We have some problems right now, but we?re dealing with them,” Neff said.

One way of dealing with the problems is an unorthodox coaching philosophy by Neff. While most coaches, even those involved in individual sports, preach the importance of the team as much as possible, Neff has told his team to put their focus into their individual performances and worry less about how their teammates perform.

“If somebody is on their game, it?s going to help the team total anyway,” Neff said. “So I tell them to focus on personal performance and the team thing will work out.”

For the most part, the team has bought into the philosophy and it proved effective in helping the Hornets perform well on Saturday.

“You still keep the team in mind,” senior Cuco Chavez said. “But you have to do what you have to do.”

Chavez finished first in the men?s 1,500-meter race and also fared well in the 5,000-meter race. Many of Chavez?s teammates had similar thoughts on their coach?s philosophy.

“It?s cool,” junior Keith Mickey said. “I set personal goals for myself anyways.”

Mickey finished fourth in the men?s triple jump and eighth in the long jump.

Other performances that helped the men place first overall at the meet included a first-place finish by junior Jay Coles in the triple jump and a third-place finish by junior

Jonathan Davis in the 200-meter dash. Both athletes fouled out of events earlier in the day.

The women?s team also performed well, placing second overall.Senior Sharita Reed paced the team with a third-place finish in the 400-meter dash and a fifth-place finish in the 200-meter dash.

“I didn?t do too hot indoors,” Reed said. “But I felt stronger today.”The women?s team was also helped by strong performances by senior Sara Swan, who finished second, and sophomore Annette Corey (fourth) in the 5,000-meter race. Freshman Heidi Poppelreiter, senior Wendi Selle and junior Sandra Butler won the triple jump, hammer throw and high jump competitions, respectively.

Senior Myesha Kirtman placed second in the 200-meter race.In addition to individual accolades, the men?s team won both the 4-by-100 and 4-by-400-meter relay races. The women?s team placed first in the 4-by-100 and second in the 4-by-400.

Neff said he was very impressed with his team?s performance overall, but like any veteran coach, he is not resting on his laurels.

“Our sprinters have yet to sharpen,” Neff said. “Even though we had a very good meet, we are still a ways away from being our fastest.

“As for the field events, we have a long way to go in that area as well, but all that will take is a few more weeks of good weather and an opportunity to be outside.”

Neff also sees great things for his team in the future.

“The team understands where we?re trying to go,” Neff said. “We want to win the Big Sky.”

Up next for Sac State track and field is Cal Poly Invitational in San Luis Obispo this Saturday.