Sacramento State’s track and field team is looking to do more than defend the women’s outdoor title &- it wants all four Big Sky Conference titles in 2010.

Last season, the women’s team won its second consecutive women’s outdoor title while Northern Arizona University won the indoor title, with the Hornets finishing in second place. It was a down year for the men’s team as it finished fifth indoors and sixth outdoors due to injuries and many redshirted athletes. Northern Arizona’s men’s teams won both the indoor and outdoor titles.

“I expect my team to put themselves in a position to win,” said Kathleen Raske, director of track and field and cross-country. “We’re looking to go after a Big Sky title.”

The preseason coaches indoor poll has the women finishing second and the men finishing fourth. The women’s are confident after a strong year.”I think that this year should be a good year,” said senior Ericka Violett, who competes in hurdles, long jump, triple jump and pole vault. “A big focus is we want to send as many people as possible (to nationals).”

With many athletes returning, the Hornets hope to win as many team and individual titles as possible. Three juniors, women’s 800-meter runners Renisha Robinson and Lea Wallace, along with sprinter, hurdler and long jumper Ronald Brookins, made it to the 2009 Division I NCAA Outdoor Championships last season.

The men’s team is healthier than last year, which should help the team perform better.

“I think we have a shot this year,” Brookins said. “Hopefully we can come back and show we’re on top.”

Senior hurdler A.J. Reed redshirted last season because of injuries and is back and having a good preseason.

“I think he’s putting himself in a position to qualify for nationals,” Raske said. Reed is confident the men will improve upon last season.

Reed said he thinks the men can surprise this season.

“We have a big chance to win on the men’s side,” Reed said. “My personal goal is to help the men win a title.”

Violett said the women’s team is also attempting to get back to full strength in time for the season, as some members of the team are coming off injuries.

The biggest challenge to winning the Big Sky titles is Northern Arizona, with the Lumberjacks men’s and women’s teams being ranked first in the preseason poll.

Raske said both Northern Arizona and Weber State University are teams the Hornets have to keep an eye on.

Weber State Head Coach Jim Blaisdell said he feels he has a deeper team this year and the Wildcats will be a force in the Big Sky Conference.”We are a better team this year than last year,” Blaisdell said. “I suspect the three will be battling for the indoor championship.”

The Weber State men’s team is ranked second and the women are ranked third.

Idaho State University head coach Dave Nielsen said Raske has done a good job making the Hornet indoor track and field team what it is today.Even with the Lumberjacks and Wildcats challenging the Hornets, Reed doesn’t spend a lot of time thinking about the team’s opponents.

“Honestly, the biggest challenge is ourselves,” Reed said. “I’m not worried about our competition.”

Reed said he is more focused on pushing himself and supporting those around him.

“Trust in your abilities,” Reed said. “Your teammates are behind you.”

Mitchell Wilson can be reached at [email protected]