ARCATA—The Humboldt State men and women's track and field teams are expected to excel in distance, hurdles, and throwing events for the 2014 season.
 
Scott Pesch enters his fourth year as head coach and continues to strengthen his growing program.
 
Hard recruiting paid off for Pesch and assistant coach Sarah Ingram. Both teams added several talented athletes this season, which the coaching staff will use to attract more talent next season.
 
"Wherever we have success we try to recruit around that because that gives them more incentive to come to Humboldt State to train with a very good athlete," Pesch said. "Ingram has done a great job at recruiting."
 
The men's team has a well-rounded group that can compete in hurdles, throws, middle distance and long-distance events.
 
400-meter hurdler Fred Rosser won the conference championship last year, edging out two Cal State University Chico rivals. Dominique Pearson is also a valuable addition to hurdles.
 
"It's good to see our athletes are stepping up, excelling and meeting the demand of the conference," Pesch said.
 
Transfer student Mario Castillo-Urbina is an exciting prospect for middle distance. Senior Ben Stern is the highlight of 5,000-meter race and junior Brent Ritschel represents the team in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
 
Returners Jantzen Oshier, Ben Tarango, Gustavo Plasencia create a very experienced middle-distance lineup that could dominate the conference this season.
 
"We have a really strong middle distance team," Pesch said.
 
The men's long distance has numbers but may not dominate like their middle-distance counterparts. The Jacks will rely on Joe Ostini to score points in the 10,000-meter race.
 
Men's throw is expected to have a competitive season after the addition of two talented prospects.
 
Former HSU defensive tackle Joshua Toney will throw for the first time since junior college, and San Jose City College transfer Viet Duong is also expected to perform well in the hammer, shot-put and discus events.
 
"Toney scored great marks from his JC," Pesch said. "He's going to make an immediate impact on our program."
 
Javelin thrower Matthew Horsfall is back after taking a year off, and team captain Chester O'Neal will compete in the hammer and discus throws.
 
The highlight of the women's team is its talented heptathletes.
 
Alyssabeth DeJerez and Eureka High School graduate Marissa McCay are noteworthy heptathlon competitors. McCay is a former triple jumper who converted into a multi-event athlete before the upcoming season.
 
"These are two multi-eventers that are very good," Pesch said.
 
Cross country standout Kori Gilley will compete in the women's long-distance steeplechase after earning All-Region recognition at the West Region Cross Country Meet in November.
 
Recruited throwers Kaytee Krivulka and Ashley Ross add depth to the women's roster, and the coaching staff anticipates a successful season for the freshmen.
 
"Those are two bright spots that we recruited to Humboldt State," Pesch said.
 
Women's distance is equally as strong as the men's team. Top middle distance returner Devin Kelsey will run the 1500-meter and 800-meter events, while sophomore Caroline Kaufman will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
 
Converted long sprinter Cory Gilley ran the 400-meter last season and after a spectacular cross country performance in the fall, will look to dominate middle distance events.
 
"She did phenomenally, I think we can get her to nationals," Pesch said.
 
Local senior Imogene Carson will run the 3,000 meter steeplechase and should provide good leadership and chemistry for the team.
 
Although the coaching staff has added several strong recruits to the roster this season, a lack of sprinter, jumpers and depth may prove troublesome for the Jacks this year.
 
"Our biggest issue is depth," Pesch said. "We have really good athletes but we just need more of them."
 
The Green and Gold Open will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Redwood Bowl, and although the event serves as a fun warmup between HSU athletes, Pesch said the event should still be competitive.
 
"It might serve as indicator for who's going to travel," Pesch said. "We only have so many spots on the bus."