FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: San Francisco State University Office of Sports Information

DATE: May 1, 2007

PHONE: 1-415-338-1579

OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

SF STATE TO HOST 2007 CCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

THIS WEEKEND

San Francisco, Calif--- San Francisco State University will be hosting the 2007 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships this Thursday-Saturday, May 3-5 at Cox Stadium on the campus of San Francisco State University. Admission is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for students.

In the men’s championships, Chico State will look to win its third consecutive CCAA title lead by the Wildcat runners. Two-time CCAA Champion in the 5000m Charlie Serrano returns for Chico State. He captured the CCAA Cross Country Championship this past Fall and was named the Runner of the Year.

Also looking to lead the way for Chico State is Scott Bauhs, who just this past weekend posted the fastest 5,000 meter time in all Division II this season with a 13:40.63 at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational hosted by Stanford University on Sunday. His time is also a new CCAA record in the event. This time is a USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship qualifying mark, as well as an automatic NCAA qualifying mark. This time also shattered the Chico State record, held by teammate Charlie Serrano, by 25 seconds.

In the 3000m steeplechase, look for two-time champion Tim Tollefson (Chico State) to lead the pack. Another returning champion is Cal State LA’s Kevin Finney, who is seeking his fourth straight conference championship in the Long Jump.

Joel Stallworth of Cal State Stanislaus has two top times in the nation in the 200 and 400. He currently is No. 1 in the 200 with a 20.80 and No. 1 in the 400 with a 46.89 while Cal State LA’s Desi Burt is No. 1 in the decathlon (7157).

In the women’s championships, UC San Diego is looking to capture its third straight CCAA title this weekend with Madeline Flint, Whitney Johnson, and Laiah Blue leading the way. Flint is the returning Pole Vault champion to compete in a competitive Pole Vault field. National Champion Chaunte Mitchell of Cal State Stanislaus returns to the Pole Vault event. She won the CCAA title in 2004 and is a two-time NCAA Champion in the event (2004, 2005). Johnson is currently No. 2 in the Triple Jump while Blue is No. 2 in the 100m hurdles (13.69) and third in the 400m hurdles (59.87). Last year, she captured the 100m hurdles title at the CCAA Championships in La Jolla, Calif.

Chico State, winner of the 2006 Cross Country Championship, will have a strong field in the distance events with Cal State L.A. competing, making it a strong field for the distance events. Cal State L.A.’s cross country team finished fourth at the Nationals, led by Karla Alburez, Maija Rhode, and Pilar Delgado (Delgado is not competing in track)— Rohde has the third fastest time in DII in the 10K this year (35:29.06) while Alburez is third in the 3000m (9:53.76) and fourth in the Steeplechase (10:44.73). In the throwing events, Humboldt State’s Audrey Oswald is currently No. 2 in the nation in the hammer.

The host, SF State, finished in eighth place last year at the CCAA Championships and is looking to move up at this year’s Championships. Freshman Maria Nelson (Fr, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS) and senior Lisa Mausia (Sr, Oakland, CA/Bishop O’Dowd HS) lead the way for the Gators. Nelson participates in the 100m and 200m deter dashes and is part of the SF State’s relay teams (4x100 and 4x400) while Mausia will participate in the shot put, discus, and hammer throwing events.

For up to date information on the 2007 CCAA Track & Field Championships, please go to the official website at http://athletics.sfsu.edu/docs/CCAA%20Championships/.