Men’s and Women’s Track and Field preview: Ready to defend

Steve Virgen

A repeat could be in the making for this year’s Orange Coast

College men’s track and field team as the Pirates are 5-0 and ready to

defend their Orange Empire Conference title.

The OCC women are also 5-0 and have a chance to improve on last year’s

second-place finish in the OEC.

Last year’s success lured Coach Gordie Fitzel to come out of

retirement and train the team. Also, Fred Hokanson, last year’s track and

field coach, asked his friend, Fitzel, to take over, while he focuses on

the interim dean of physical education and athletics and athletic

director position which he began in early January.

Fitzel retired just before Hokanson entered his new position. But, he

came back to work with assistants Mike Taylor, John Goldman and Dave

Fier.

Carl Olsson, who competes in the hurdles and long jump, also returns

and Fitzel said the sophomore from Sweden will probably be one of the

best hurdlers in the conference.

Steve Taeleman (pole vault and sprints), who is from Belgium,

solidifies the returners.

OCC’s Brandon Hazelett has been known to record a 6-foot-9 mark in the

high jump and he also competes in the javelin throw.

Robert Hullinger, a Costa Mesa High product, is highly competitive in

all of the throwing events, Fitzel said.

Freshman Jordan Czaykowski (long jump, triple jump and hurdles) will

only increase the Pirates’ OEC title chances as soon as he returns from a

snowboarding injury.

Sophomore Tony Magana, a standout on OCC’s cross country team and an

Estancia High product, also excels in the steeplechase. Sean Abeyta, who

also ran for the Pirates’ cross country team, might compete for top

conference honors in the steeplechase. And, the same might be applied to

Mark Cipolla.

Juan Corrillo, a long-distance runner, has the speed and endurance to

get to state competition, Fitzel said.

For the women, freshman Julie Kroening, a Costa Mesa product, is quite

valuable for the Pirates as she picks up several points for sprints,

hurdles, jumps and throws, Fitzel said.

Distance runner Heather Shurtleff remains among the state’s elite.

“(Shurtleff) can be successful in whatever event we put her in,”

Fitzel said.

Lindsay Allen is still in the process of getting into shape, but she

continues to improve in the long-distance events.

Heptathlete Jennifer Urbieta, a freshman from Orange High, has also

been a main reason for the Pirates’ early season success.

Kim Romero has shown promise, Fitzel said.

Freshman Amber Lovell could take top honors in sprint events and the

long jump.

Fitzel said four freshmen from last year’s men’s team did not return

because of ineligibility, but he’s not stressing over it.

And, he’s hopeful for an OEC championship for both the men and women.

“We’re good enough to do it,” Fitzel said. “We could use a little more

depth, but that’s OK.”

As the track and field teams’ success continues and a new track course

assuredly coming next season, Fitzel might have some difficult decisions

in the offseason.

“They may even talk me into coming back next year,” Fitzel said with a

laugh.

The Pirates will compete at a four-team OEC meet at Saddleback,

Friday, which includes the Gauchos, Riverside, Irvine Valley and OCC.