Track & Field travels to the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita this Friday (11 AM) for the 2022 Western State Conference Preliminary Meet. 

The Cuesta Women are in position to defend their 2021 WSC title but will need to get through the prelims this week.  The women boast ten athletes that are already in position to earn all-conference honors (Top 5) in a dozen events.  Pole Vaulter Elen Zhu, High Jumper Eva Kessler (pict) and Thrower Makaylie Howell all enter this week as the top seed in their event, while Harrier Dulce Esquivel ranks 2nd in three events (800m, 1,500m, 5K).  Heptathlete Savannah Shoemaker already qualified for the CCCAA State Meet and earned all-WSC 2nd team honors in her primary event but can also earn a spot in the individual events this week. She is poised to earn all-WSC honors in both the Javelin and Shot Put.  On the track, All State Harrier Julia Voss will join Esquivel in the 1,500m and 5K, while Steepler Shannon Ferrall chases the Steeplechase crown.  In the Pole Vault, Zhu will have company with Hannah Quimby and Ruby Fiori, however the Cougars expect a big chunk of their points to come from the Throws.  Howell and Shoemaker are ranked in three events and two events, respectively, while Natalia Delgado is ranked in both the Shot Put and Hammer.  

The Cuesta Men have only six athletes currently ranked in the loop's Top 5, but the Cougars hold the top spot in four events.  Cuesta Record Holder Gabriel Katches is the top seed in both the Shot Put and Discus, while Pole Vaulter Dean Dodge and Harrier Luis Cervantes, in the 10,000-meters, also enter the meet as title favorites.  On the track, Sprinter Connor Prichard, Hurdler Cameron Avila and Steepler Axel Reich are all expected to score big for the Cougars in their events, the 200-meters, 400-hurdles and Steeplechase, respectively.