The Sacramento State women’s indoor track and field team has a bull’s eye on its back while the men’s team has its work cut out for the 2011 indoor track and field season.

On Jan. 4, the Hornet women were selected by the other Big Sky Conference Indoor track and field coaches as the No. 1 team in the conference, earning eight first-place votes, for a total of 80 points.

This vote comes on the heels of last year’s Big Sky championship win, where the women earned their second title in three years. The Hornet women dominated the entire field by amassing 167.5 points, 76.5 points more than second-place Northern Arizona University.

The Sac State men’s team on the other hand, received just one first-place vote, earning a total 64 points, good for a third place pre-season mark.

Kathleen Raske, director of track & field/cross country, feels that the women’s team is primed to defend its 2010 indoor championship.

“I feel that the women’s team probably has the most talent we have ever had in the history of the program. So we are in the position where we have a lot of depth,” Raske said. “With that, we will be looking at some strategic redshirts so we can be better down the road.”

The women’s indoor team will be returning a majority of the 2010 team that was instrumental in earning the 2010 indoor championship, including All-American middle distance runner senior Lea Wallace and seven other conference champions in multiple events.

One of several captains on the women’s team, senior hammer and discus specialist Andi Behring feels the team can win another conference title.

“We have a ton of extremely talented individuals but only when we come together as a family do we win championships. It’s also important for us to never be content,” Behring said. “The team has claimed two out of the last three conference titles. Winning has almost become routine. It’s important that we never take that opportunity for granted and always give 100 percent no matter who we’re up against.”

Behring said the team discussed its goals for the indoor season and beyond winning another team title, the team also wants to go national.

“We have a list of goals posted up in the locker room with all of our goals for this season. On the list it includes sending as many people on to nationals as possible,” Behring said. “Additionally we stress having a positive attitude. We’ll win the races, but we’ll also have a smile on our face and shake your hand with respect after we beat you.”

In the first meet of the season on Jan. 21-22 in Boise, Idaho, at the Boise State Invitational, the women’s indoor team had a strong showing by many of its members.

This included the record-setting throw in the shot put by Behring, who hit a school record mark of 49-02.50 to break the record of 48-01.25 set by fellow senior Ify Agwuenu last season.

The Hornet women won first place in six events during the two-day event.

As for the Sac State men’s indoor team, Raske has high expectations for the men that include a higher finishing mark and a team title.

“Our goal is to finish higher than third place in conference. Our goal is to win a title,” Raske said. “We have won two indoor titles in the past by just one point. This year I feel we have enough experienced veterans on our team to send a clear message to everyone on the team that we need to be 100 percent perfect in competition during the Big Sky championships.”

Like the women, the men also had a strong showing at the Boise State Invitational.

One of several captains on the men’s team, senior jumping specialist Emilio Hernandez, was among those who marked, set and reset school records in several events.

In the triple jump, Hernandez finished first with a mark of 47-10.50, which was fourth best in school history.

Senior Ronald Brookins recorded the fastest time in the 60-meter hurdles in both the qualifying round and finals. His time was just .02 seconds off of his own school record and placed him 13th in Division I this year.

Brookins also qualified for the Big Sky Championships with a long jump of 23-01.25.

In shot put, the mark of 50-11.50 moved Taylor Weldon into a tie for third best all-time.

In the 60-meter hurdles, sophomore Tyler Creswell was third overall with a time of 8.33 which ranks sixth at Sac State.

In the mile run, Nathanael Litwiller ran a personal-best of 4:17.30 to finish third. His time was also the fifth-fastest in Hornet history.

Hernandez feels the preseason rank will not be a defining factor for the men during the indoor season.

“Yes, we were picked No. 3 in the conference, but rankings are meant for pieces of paper. On championship day, the team that is ranked No. 1 on paper doesn’t necessarily win,” Hernandez said. “To win conference, we have to show up as a single unit and not as individuals. Collectively, we have to forget about rankings and know that on any given day, it’s anyone’s game.”

Matt Harrington can be reached at [email protected]