The track and field team is looking to their veteran leadership for success this season.

Such leadership will be necessary after the Grizzlies cooled off from their hot start at the beginning of the season.

The Grizzlies had a tough time this past weekend at the Stanford Invitational on April 4 and 5. The team thought they didn't compete at their top level and as a result did not do well. The only standouts from the meet were Seniors Justin Miller and Dmitry Kislyuk who were the only Grizzlies to place.

Cal has lost its last two league meets, falling 78-58 to San Ramon Valley on April 3, and 80-55 to Monte Vista on March 20.

“We could have done better at both of those meets,” said junior sprinter Chelsey Kamson.

The Grizzlies’ only win was a 70-68 victory at home on March 13 against Foothill.

“Our goal is to win the league championship this year,” said head coach Mark Karbo. “We need our elite athletes to step up and get to the elite level for us to do that this year.”

For the team to achieve this goal, it is looking to the veteran leadership of Chelsey, long-distance runner Dmitry, and junior hurdler Julianna Levy.

“We have a good team this year,” Julianna said. “We have good talent and the ability to compete and win almost every event.”

The Grizzlies have competed in nine meets so far, including three pre-season meets, three invitationals, and the three league meets.

“Those (pre-season and invitational) meets are really more for development then for time,” Karbo said. “It’s a chance to get some of our newer people experience before league.”

The experience was a factor against Foothill with Dmitry winning the 800- and 1600-meters, Julianna winning the 300-meter hurdle and the 4x4 relay and finishing second in the 400-meter. Chelsey also had a strong showing by winning the 100-meter and the long jump. Besides having a solid performance in all the track events, the team is also did well in field events.

“All of our team is really strong, but our pole vault is especially strong this year,” said Dmitry.