After taking big strides in 2010, the Southern Oregon track and field teams look to take even more strides in year three under head coach Brent Ericksen. 

The Raiders will open the 2011 season this Saturday at the Kim Duyst Invitational at Cal State Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif. 

At the 2010 Cascade Conference Championships, the SOU men improved to finish second in the team race and the women scored 23 more point than the 2009 squad. The Raiders also return 12 of 16 National Championship qualifiers from last year and three individuals that red-shirted last year after qualifying for the Nationals in 2009. 

"Our guys have more depth now and are ready to become an impact team at the National level, not just the conference level," Ericksen said. "Our women's program continues to grow as well. We improved last year and need to keep doing that." 

No surprise that the 2011 Raiders will be led by a group of distance runners that won the NAIA men's cross country National Championship this past Fall and also won the combined National Championship with the women's squad. 

David Laney, Ryan Ghelfi and Ryan Sorensen are three National qualifiers from 2009 that red-shirted last year and will give the Raiders a lot of star power in the 5,000 and 10,000. 

In the steeplechase, James Johnstone (2010 National qualifier), Josh Seitz, David Sherman and Dennis McCaffrey all have the potential to score a lot of points for the Raiders in the event. 

In the sprints, Kwame Agyemang returns after winning the conference championship in the 100 and was also a part of a conference winning relay squad. Brandon Ritchie, Wendell Sells, Javier De La Mora and Jonz Olander all could be a factor this year. In the hurdles, Dennis Olstedt returns after a conference championship season last year and a trip to the Nationals. Sullivan Stevens and Erik Evasovic also will compete in the hurdles. 

Senior Alex Waroff, the lone All-American in 2010, is back to compete in the decathlon. 

In the field events, Akeem Jackson and Seth Lindquist could star in the jumps, while Max Perry (throws), Mike Ruppert (throws), Trae Fouty (pole vault) and Tyler Fouty (pole vault) round out the events. 

On the women's side, Seena Frantz, Anya Martinez and Laurie Stoutenburg return to team with newcomers Amanda Dalton and Summer Cano for an impressive distance squad. 

Tara Krempley and Kelly Clark are also National qualifiers back this year. 

Krempley qualified in the steeplechase and Clark just missed out on All-American honors in the race walk. 

Ericksen is very excited about the potential of freshman Mikayla Garrard. Garrard should be a star in the jumps and compete in the 400 and on the relay squad as well for the Raiders. 

Denali Cox is the Raiders top sprinter, while Chenin Young could emerge as one of the top hurdlers in the conference. 

In the throws, sophomore Holly Haga returns after a huge freshman season and Courtenay Williams could also emerge as a top performer in all three throws. 

The Raiders plan on taking a large group to Saturday's opening track meet. 

"This will give everyone a chance to see where they are at as we open the season," said Ericksen, who is returning to his alma mater. "They will get a chance to compete in some nice weather, against some tough competition and on a track that will host the NCAA Division II National Championships." 

By SOU Sports Information