Ashley Arbuckle couldn’t be happier back home in Sacramento.

In only her first year competing for Sacramento State, Arbuckle has set new program records in both the weight throw and shot put.

On Saturday, Arbuckle bested her own program records set previously this year in both the shot put (46 feet, 4 inches) and the weight throw (56 feet, 8 inches) at the Holiday Inn Classic held in Reno, Nev.

The previous school record in the weight throw was held by fellow teammate Laura Cadranel, who completed a 52 feet, 31??4 inch throw in 2005.

Since transferring from Cal State Northridge for personal reasons, Arbuckle has adjusted well. The Sacramento native said she is very family oriented and outgoing.

“The adjustment has gone really well because I am back home with my family,” Arbuckle said. Arbuckle, a 2004 Sheldon High School graduate, competed on the Northridge track team for a season before transferring.

Unlike a lot of other athletes, Arbuckle has only been in the sport of track and field for less than three years.

The sophomore said that her strength and her weakness is her age. With a lot to learn and the time to learn it, Arbuckle has the chance o be an even better athlete before graduation.

“The biggest thing Ashley can do is get the repetitions in that she missed out on in high school,” throwing coach Jeff Magley said. “To help her improve her marks the coaching staff has Ashley on a consistent program in the weight room geared for throwers. This will be a tremendous help by the end of the year.”

It hasn’t taken long for her training to show especially with the increased distance of her throws each meet.

When asked for one word to describe her new star thrower, track and field head coach Kathleen Raske replied, “Potential. … Ashley has all the tools in place to be a great thrower,” Raske said.With her tall frame Arbuckle has an added tool.

“Size helps. At 6 foot, 4 inches, you can power through an event,” Arbuckle said.

With power you need finesse and that is exactly what Ashley believes will help her.

“Once I get my technique down everything will click better,” she said.

With more time, throws, and events Arbuckle is hoping to maintain consistency throughout the indoor and outdoor track season.

“I want to score top three in all events I throw in.”

Omar Sawyer can be reached at [email protected]