The biggest men in the sporting event are taking the field. However, with some key losses to the team, they will have to depend on more than excitement.

The men’s team is overcoming obstacles this year with the loss of three potential Big Sky qualifiers and one NCAA qualifier. Due to injury and academics, the athletes were unable to compete this year.

“The men’s throwers are struggling a little bit with the loss of a couple of good throwers; we still have a young team and are very excited to compete for the outdoor season,” throwers coach Jeff Magley said.

The low numbers of male competitors kept them from competing indoors, coach Magley said.

The men’s throws team will only have three athletes competing this year. Sophomore Jon Jordan and freshman Taylor Weldon will be holding down the shot and hammer throws while junior Tom Takemoto will be controlling the javelin throws. This will be Jordan’s and Weldon’s first time competing in a Hornets uniform.

Spirits are still high for the athletes as they gear up for their outdoor season.

“Even with our low numbers, I am confident that we have a strong throwers core that will do good this year,” Jordan said.

Jordan said if they keep coming to practice giving 100 percent that they will compete well and be able to help the team when it comes time for conference championships.

The morale of the men’s team is still high as they come off a first place victory at the Big Sky Championship.

For the women’s side, there are high hopes as they are coming off a championship as well. Four of the women throwers competing in the Big Sky Championship are commanding four of the top five spots in the shot put thrower in indoor school history.

True freshman Ify Agwuenu captured a spot on the Sac State all-time shot put list during her first indoor collegiant year of competition. Sophomore Andrea Behring also made it on the list for the all-time top five shot put performances in her Big Sky competition.

Transfer juniors Nicole McClure and Monica Gomez from New Mexico State came on for the Hornets and made their mark, both making the all-time shot put list for throwers in Sac State history. Gomez, who was ranked 12th before the conference championship is now an All-Conference athlete and holds third place in the Big Sky conference.

“We are looking forward to the outdoor season. We know that teams are going to be gunning for us, but believe that we are up to the challenge and we are acquiring some more talent that did not compete indoor,” Gomez said.

Gomez was right about talent. Senior hammer thrower Katie Lodato will strengthen the team as she ranks second in school history and finished fourth in Big Sky last year. Also, since javelin throws cannot be done indoors, senior NCAA Regional Qualifier Ashley Ast comes from training to gear up and compete for outdoors.

“We have a lot of throwers here so we are able to help each other and keep each other focused on the season,” Gomez said.

Magley said all of his athletes are “biting at the bit” and ready for competition and excited for the season.

David Green can be reached at [email protected]