In the recent United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) West Regional Track and Ratings Week #3, both of the Humboldt State Lumberjack men’s and women’s track and field teams are ranked in the top 12.  The Lumberjack men are tenth while the women are twelfth.

 “We are training hard and making every opportunity count to prepare for our next 9-day trip,” said head men’s and women’s track and field coach Sarah Ingram. “We are incredibly grateful to be in a situation where we can train and compete this spring, and we’re looking forward to the return of our conference counterpoints next year.”

 Over on the men’s side, Humboldt State is tenth with Fresno Pacific leading the pack.  Rounding out the top six is Azusa Pacific, Central Washington, Academy of Art, Biola and Concordia-Irvine.  The seven through 12 places are held by Northwest Nazarene, Montana State Billings, Alaska Anchorage, Humboldt State, Seattle Pacific and Simon Fraser.

 The Lumberjacks are twelfth on the women’s side with Azusa Pacific currently holding the top spot.  Two through six spots are held by Fresno Pacific, Biola, Concordia-Irvine, Academy of Art and Seattle Pacific.  The final six spots are Central Washington, Point Loma, Northwest Nazarene, Montana State Billings, Alaska Anchorage and Humboldt State. 

 HSU will return to the track at the end of this month with three meets in Oregon.  The Lumberjacks will participate in the two-day Raider Invitational on April 23-24 in Ashland, Oregon. They will travel north to Salem, Ore., on April 29 for a dual with Willamette University.  Humboldt State will finish off its travel in the two-day Oregon State University High Performance Meet on April 30-May 1 in Corvallis, Ore.

 The Lumberjacks started the return to participation process in Fall 2020 and continue this Spring following County Public Health, NCAA, and University protocols including testing on a regular and consistent basis. Protocols include

• Consultation with Humboldt County Public Health officials
• Frequent testing — teams in competition will be tested three times a week
• Small group practices
• Wearing face coverings on campus and on the road
• Travel-related quarantines

 Each team will be on the road for multiple games over the course of one to three weeks. None of the games are part of regular conference competition, which is not occurring this year.