California State University Northridge Athletics
Memorable Matador Moments - CSUN Men's Track Wins 5 In 7 Years
4/27/2020 10:16:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
In this ongoing feature, GoMatadors.com takes a look back at some of the most memorable moments in CSUN Athletics history. Today, we revisit CSUN Men's Track and Field Winning Five Conference Titles in Seven Years
The CSUN men's track and field team could have been called the Big West Conference program of the 2000s. The Matadors won five Big West championships in a seven-year span that began in 2004 and wrapped up in 2010.
Led by Jason Romero who won titles in the long jump and triple jump, the Matadors won the 2004 championship by scoring 157 points to defeat second-place Cal Poly by 14. Hung Nguyen (100m), Anthony Brown (110m hurdles), and Tomas Fajardo (discus) took home league championships.
CSUN repeated in 2005, defeating Cal Poly by 7.5 points (142.5-135). Brown repeated as champion in 110m hurdles. Also winning Big West gold medals were James Fredrickson (400m hurdles), Alex Marbley (high jump), DaShalle Andrews (long jump), and Johnny Wiley (triple jump).
Although Brown three-peated in the 110m hurdles and added a 100m crown, the Matadors finished fourth in 2006. With the Big West meet traveling to CSUN in 2007, the Matadors capitalized on the home course advantage, winning the league title by a 1/2 point over UC Santa Barbara (162.5-162).
Da Shalle Andrews was named Field Athlete of the Year after winning both the long jump and triple jump. Andrews parlayed his success into winning the 2007 Division I National Championship in the long jump. Thomas Ross won the 110m hurdles while the 4x100m relay of Ruffin, Ike, Morales, and Brown was victorious.
CSUN finished second in 2008 as Ross repeated in the 110m hurdles. Reindell Cole (long jump), Derek Cooper (discus), and Alex Butler (shot put) would take home Big West titles during the meet. As a result of his win in the long jump, Cole was selected Big West Freshman of the Year.
The Matadors regained the conference championship in 2009, winning by 40 points against UC Davis (176.5-136.5). De'Shawn Waters was named Track Athlete of the Year as he won three championships (100m, 200m, and anchor of the 4x100m). Rolando Felizola was selected as Field Athlete of the Year as he took home titles in the long jump and triple jump. Derek Cooper (discus) and Lance Gonzales (javelin) would also place first during the meet.
The run came to an end in 2010 at CSUN when the Matadors took home the win by 28 points over Long Beach State (173-145). Gonzales was chosen Field Athlete of the Year after winning a second Big West title in a second event, this time, winning the high jump with a leap of 6-10 1/4.
Derek Cooper won the shot put and the discus. Alex Butler made it 3-of-4 in the throwing events as he was the hammer throw winner. Bradley Ike (100m), David Reid (200m), Robert Robinson (decathlon), and Cole (long jump) rounded out the individual winners. The 4x100m relay of Cole, Ike, Reid, and Santos won the race in a school-record time of :39.86.
CSUN head coach Don Strametz was named Big West Coach of the Year in each of the five years in which the Matadors won the league title. Cole would earn All-American honors three times during his outdoor career as well as winning the 2008 Division I Indoor National Championship in the long jump.
~#UniteTheValley~
The CSUN men's track and field team could have been called the Big West Conference program of the 2000s. The Matadors won five Big West championships in a seven-year span that began in 2004 and wrapped up in 2010.
Led by Jason Romero who won titles in the long jump and triple jump, the Matadors won the 2004 championship by scoring 157 points to defeat second-place Cal Poly by 14. Hung Nguyen (100m), Anthony Brown (110m hurdles), and Tomas Fajardo (discus) took home league championships.
CSUN repeated in 2005, defeating Cal Poly by 7.5 points (142.5-135). Brown repeated as champion in 110m hurdles. Also winning Big West gold medals were James Fredrickson (400m hurdles), Alex Marbley (high jump), DaShalle Andrews (long jump), and Johnny Wiley (triple jump).
Although Brown three-peated in the 110m hurdles and added a 100m crown, the Matadors finished fourth in 2006. With the Big West meet traveling to CSUN in 2007, the Matadors capitalized on the home course advantage, winning the league title by a 1/2 point over UC Santa Barbara (162.5-162).
Da Shalle Andrews was named Field Athlete of the Year after winning both the long jump and triple jump. Andrews parlayed his success into winning the 2007 Division I National Championship in the long jump. Thomas Ross won the 110m hurdles while the 4x100m relay of Ruffin, Ike, Morales, and Brown was victorious.
CSUN finished second in 2008 as Ross repeated in the 110m hurdles. Reindell Cole (long jump), Derek Cooper (discus), and Alex Butler (shot put) would take home Big West titles during the meet. As a result of his win in the long jump, Cole was selected Big West Freshman of the Year.
The Matadors regained the conference championship in 2009, winning by 40 points against UC Davis (176.5-136.5). De'Shawn Waters was named Track Athlete of the Year as he won three championships (100m, 200m, and anchor of the 4x100m). Rolando Felizola was selected as Field Athlete of the Year as he took home titles in the long jump and triple jump. Derek Cooper (discus) and Lance Gonzales (javelin) would also place first during the meet.
The run came to an end in 2010 at CSUN when the Matadors took home the win by 28 points over Long Beach State (173-145). Gonzales was chosen Field Athlete of the Year after winning a second Big West title in a second event, this time, winning the high jump with a leap of 6-10 1/4.
Derek Cooper won the shot put and the discus. Alex Butler made it 3-of-4 in the throwing events as he was the hammer throw winner. Bradley Ike (100m), David Reid (200m), Robert Robinson (decathlon), and Cole (long jump) rounded out the individual winners. The 4x100m relay of Cole, Ike, Reid, and Santos won the race in a school-record time of :39.86.
CSUN head coach Don Strametz was named Big West Coach of the Year in each of the five years in which the Matadors won the league title. Cole would earn All-American honors three times during his outdoor career as well as winning the 2008 Division I Indoor National Championship in the long jump.
~#UniteTheValley~
2026 CSUN Athletics Giving Day
Friday, February 13
2026 CSUN Men's Volleyball Hype Video
Saturday, January 24
2025 CSUN Women's Volleyball Hype Video
Thursday, December 11
2025-26 CSUN Men's Basketball Hype Video
Thursday, December 11