About the Program

Annually one of the top teams in the Southern California Intercollegiate Conference (SCIAC), Pomona-Pitzer's men's track and field team boasts an outstanding history of success. Whether running, jumping or throwing, the list of successful athletes who have worn the Pomona-Pitzer singlet is a lengthy one.

At the conference level, Pomona-Pitzer men have won 12 SCIAC team titles, and numerous individual event SCIAC Championship crowns. The 2017 team had the following SCIAC event champions, Paul Messana (800m), Calvin Aylward (Javelin), Andy Reischling (5000m), and Danny Rosen (3000m).

Eight Pomona-Pitzer athletes currently hold SCIAC performance records: Will Leer (1500m), John Fowler (5000m), Crosby Freeman (10,000m), Nick Buchan (3000m steeplechase), Steve Smith (110h), Doug Alston (TJ), Stan Watson (HJ), and Jon Sterrer (DT).  

The men's team competes in the NCAA Division III and regularly sends individuals on to the National Championship meet in a variety of events. As a team, Pomona-Pitzer has placed in the top-10 at the NCAA National Championship on 12 occasions.

Pomona-Pitzer athletes have produced 92 All-American performances, including 20 individual national championships: Bob Orell in the javelin (1975 in a National Meet record and 1976), Kent Namikas in the long jump (1978 and 1979), Nick Buchan in the 3000m steeplechase (1981), Stan Watson in the high jump (1981, 1982 in a National Meet record, and 1984), Alonzo Robinson in the triple jump (1981), Jay Hibert in the hammer (1983 and 1985 in a National Meet record), Doug Alston in the triple jump (1985 and 1987), Nate Kirtman in the long jump (1990 and 1991), and Will Leer in the indoor Mile (2006 and 2007) and outdoor 1500m and 5000m (2007) -- the first such double in Division III men's history. In 2024, Bennett Booth-Genthe won the indoor Mile. 

Most recently, the following athletes have added their names to the All-America list for Pomona-Pitzer: Jack Rosencrans (1500m in 2022), Colin Kirkpatrick (Steeplechase in 2022 and 2023 and 1500m in 2024), Bennett Booth Genthe (indoor Mile in 2023 and 2024, and outdoor 800m in 2023 and 2024) and Cameron Hatler (Steeplechase in 2024). 

The squad trains on the bright blue and extraordinarily fast Strehle Track at Pomona College. Completed in 1985 and resurfaced in 1993, 2001, 2011 and 2024, the Strehle Track complex is one of the nation's premier facilities. The custom-ordered polyurethane surface allows both track and field athletes to train and perform under optimal conditions and is the reason April's Pomona-Pitzer Track and Field Invitational has become one of the top meets in Southern California.

In recent years, the track and field team has hosted a February early-season invite, a conference competition in March, and the large Invitational in April, plus the conference championships in May. In addition, the squad competes in area invitationals against NCAA I, II, III and NAIA teams. The season is capped off with the SCIAC Championships and the NCAA III National Championships at the end of the season. 

PHOTO GALLERIES OF POMONA-PITZER MEN'S TRACK & FIELD THROUGH THE DECADES:

1900-10s

1920s

1930-40s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

(Alumni: If you have an image to share, please email it to Kirk Reynolds)