STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford is coming off its second-highest combined scoring margin of victory – 115 points – in 124 years of the Big Meet against California. But Saturday's 125th track and field meeting could go differently, such is the competiveness of this rivalry.
The Stanford men are seeking their first Big Meet victory at home since 2011. The Cardinal women are seeking their fifth consecutive team victory.
On numerous occasions, the meet has come down to the final events, and that makes this team-oriented meet so unique. There is nothing in the sport like having both teams on the track cheering on their teammates during the final event, the 4c400-meter relay. Victories feel even bigger, and losses seem even drearier. This meet, after all, isn't about marks, it's about points.
Last year, the Stanford women won their fourth consecutive Big Meet, as Vanessa Fraser in the 3,000 and Mackenzie Little in javelin set meet records in a 115-47 rout. The men won 100-63, with Isaiah Brandt-Sims won the 100 – setting a meet record -- and 200, and ran the second leg of Stanford's winning 4x100 relay.
Saturday's renewal takes place at Cobb Track and Angell Field. Since 1995, the Stanford and Cal men are 6-6 in Big Meets at Stanford. The Stanford women, however, have won 11 consecutive at home. The Cal women have not won at Stanford since 1995.
* * *
Meet Information:
Big Meet
When: Saturday
What: 125th dual meet between Stanford and California
Where: Cobb Track and Angell Field, Stanford
Events begin: Field, 2:30 p.m.; Running, 3:40 p.m.
Meet schedule: Click here.
Entries: Click here.
Heat Sheets: Click here.
Follow the action:
Live results: Click here.
Free Live Webcast: Click here.
All-Time Series Records:
Men: California leads, 70-52-2.
Women: Stanford leads, 27-12.
* * *
Javelin streak: Stanford's longest winning streak in any event is in the women's javelin. Stanford throwers have won the past 16 years, beginning with Erin Merriman in 2003 and 2004. Danielle Maier won four times (2005-08) and Brianna Bain was a three-time winner (2012-14) and holds the school and meet record of 183-10. Victoria Smith extended the streak to 13 in 2015 and Mackenzie Little has made it 14, 15, and 16, setting a then-school record of 192-4 (58.63 meters) last year on her way to winning the NCAA title.
4x400 relays: The Stanford men have won 14 of the past 15 4x400 relays. The Stanford women have won the past eight, with senior Missy Mongiovi a part of the past three victories.
