It is that time of the year again for the track and field Big Sky Championships, but this time the Sacramento State Hornets have the home track advantage.

Sac State is hosting the championships this year and head coach Kathleen Raske said her athletes are fired up for the competition.

“We are so excited to compete at home. For some of my athletes, it is a stepping stone to go to nationals but for a lot of my athletes, it is the most important meet of the year. This is what we work for all year long.”

Raske also said that Sac State has the fastest track in the nation, so there will be some fast times at this championship meet.

This is a privilege for the seniors because they only are able to experience hosting the Big Sky Championships once in their careers.

“This is truly an honor to be in my senior year and able to host the championships this year at home. We have a good team and are ready to defend our title,” said senior heptathlete Robert Brazier.

For some athletes, it is their first experience at collegiate championships, and they are ready to go as well. “I am excited to run at conference championships at home – looking forward to good weather and that will bring good times. I believe we will take home the title because we came together for indoors, so I am very confident that we will put it together for outdoor,” said freshman Victoria Humphrey.

On paper, the Hornet men hold some top positions in Big Sky track and field. Senior Jody Johnson is leading Big Sky in the 200 meter sprint and currently second in the 100 meters; senior Jeff Paneda is leading the conference in the 800 meter run and fourth in the 1500 meter run; junior AJ Reed is in first place and freshman Ronald Brookins in second for the 110 meter hurdles; junior Dominic Vogl is first and Scott Gross is in third place for the steeple chase and senior Daniel Imlach is first for the pole vault.

The women’s side also covers a few top places in conference.

Senior Tyreina Henley-Henderson is currently in second in both the 200 meter sprint and 400 meter sprints. Senior Lori Vaught is leading the Big Sky in the triple jump and is second in the long jump. Freshman Renisha Robinson is in first for the 800 meter run and freshman Alicia Truesdale is currently in second for the 100 meter hurdles. Junior Morinsola Keshiro is in first place in the 400 meter hurdles and junior Kristina Holtz is currently in third for the steeple chase. Sophomore Elizabeth Norvell is in third in the conference for the pole vault. Freshman Ify Agwuenu is in third place for the shot put and senior Ashley Ast is third for the javelin.

Besides what it says on paper, the track and field team believes home is where comfort is. “Training on this track means that we have home court advantage. We practice on this track every day and that gives us the upper hand,” said junior hurdler Jermaine Nelson.

So far this year, the track team has won two meets at home. This also gives them a boost of confidence during the regular season, said junior Monica Gomez, so they are in a good position right now.

What Raske believes will also help the track team excel is having students from different teams come out and cheer them on. “For the athletic department, we have something called ‘Support a Fellow Team,’ where all the other teams have to come out that given day to cheer on a different team, and we picked the Big Sky Championships for obvious reasons. I also urge all the sports fans at Sac State to come out and have some hornet pride!” Raske said.

David Green can be reached at [email protected]