THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The California Lutheran women's track and field team will rely on experience as it features only eight newcomers, while bringing back 16 student-athletes, after a sixth place finish in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) standings last season.

After sustaining a handful or injuries down the stretch last spring, the Regals will look to stay healthy in 2018.

"Every track athlete likes to go out hard on the first meet but we have a long season ahead of us," said senior Anna Schlosser. "I think it will be very important to stay healthy and hopefully make it through the SCIAC Championships."

Schlosser's season was cut short last year so she is ready to get back out there and compete one last time for the Violet and Gold. The Hood River, Ore. native earned All-SCIAC honors her freshman and sophomore year and looks to leave a mark in CLU history.

Leading the pack will be sophomore Kendall Guidetti, who had a terrific 2017 season. She concluded her debut season at the Division III Outdoor Women's Track and Field Championship, placing 22^nd in the long jump and was the only CLU representative at the National Qualifier. Guidetti also set a new school record with her mark (5.75m) at the SCIAC Championships, earning herself All-West Region honors. She was also the SCIAC Track & Field Newcomer of the Year.

Along with Guidetti, the team expects to have great jumpers, returners and incoming athletes, along with sprinters this season.

"We're very young on the distance side but between some of the steeple chasers and Erin MacNeil and Rachel Ereso, we're going to have a really good team on the distance side this year," said head coach Matt Lea.

A large contingent of returners will compete in distance events for the Violet and Gold, led by seniors Mariah Mercado and Katie Young alongside only junior Kylie Rodriguez and sophomore Rachel Coleman.

Leading the way in the throwing events will be returners Alexa Barnes, Kate Cochran, and Morgan Snyder. Barnes, a junior from Olympia, Wash., recorded a personal best in shot put with a throw of 10.75m, placing 7^th overall in shot put at the SCIAC Championship last year. She also placed 4^th and 5^th in discus and hammer throw, concluding her season with another personal best but in hammer throw (42.89m) at the Redlands Qualifier. Sophomores Cochran and Snyder look to make another huge impact to the team this season as both girls had terrific freshman year.

Rounding out the returners are Ana Cordoba, Kayla Cross, Rebecca Kozlowski, Megan Pollack, and Kelsey Rouse. The women's team is young, but well rounded.

Joining the Regals in 2018 will be a group of great eight student-athletes comprised of freshmen Olivia Becker (Forts Collins, Colo.), Karlee Cuddy (Pollock Pines, Calif.), Madison Montero (Winnemucca, Nev.), Jay Rhambo (Los Angeles, Calif.) and junior transfers Stephanie Allen (Oak Park, Calif.), Cameron Baggs (Bakersfield, Calif.), Allie Portis (Temecula, Calif.), and Stephanie Williamson (Oak Park, Calif.).



"I'm trying something different this year, this is the latest we have started but I am excited," said Lea. "I know the team and the coaching staff are excited and ready to get out there and start. I'm excited for our first meet and to see where we stand."

Cal Lutheran opens its season competing this Saturday, Feb. 17 in Claremont, Calif. at the Pomona-Pitzer Collegiate All Comers beginning at 10:30 a.m.

T&F Instagram: @clu_track_field
T&F Twitter: @CLUTrackField
CLU Instagram: @clusports
CLU Twitter: @CLUSports
CLU Facebook: CLU Sports
Hashtags: #clusports #goregals #gokingsmen #ownthethrone #theSCIAC #ncaad3

Release by Nicki Tetherow, Assistant Sports Information Director