Humboldt briefs

The Cal Poly Humboldt women’s soccer team finished the preseason on a high note, toppling Simpson 4-0 in an exhibition on Saturday. The Lumberjacks will now travel up to Seattle in preparation of their season-opening matchup against Central Washington on Thursday.

The performance was particularly impressive considering Simpson was already in regular season form, with three games under their belt and a 1-1-1 record. But the ‘Jacks saved their best performance for last in the preseason as they produced an emphatic victory. Humboldt already had logged victories over Folsom Lake and Southern Oregon in the lead up to Saturday’s exhibition victory. The Lumberjacks also beat Edge Hill United FC and logged a draw against Sydney Olympic FC in two exhibition matches overseas in Australia.

But the victory over Simpson should provide the perfect tune-up to Humboldt’s season opener against Central Washington. CWU posted a record of 3-11-4 last season, presumably making the Lumberjacks the favorite in the season opener. Humboldt will open the season with two games in Seattle, also facing powerhouse Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

The Cal Poly Humboldt men’s basketball team announced the addition of another recruit as they continue to finalize their roster for the upcoming season. Jordahn Johnson joins the team as a junior college transfer from Las Positas College.

Johnson should provide more depth on the interior. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged a double-double last season in the CCCAA, finishing with 18 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game. Johnson previously played for Weston Ranch as a high school player in Stockton.

While the Lumberjacks have added several guards and wings, Johnson becomes the first interior player added to the roster. He’ll join returning center Cam Timmons as the team looks to solidify the front court for the coming year.

The women’s triathlon team at Cal Poly Humboldt, the only Division II NCAA program of its kind on the West Coast, will begin their second season on Sunday as they travel up to Salem to face Willamette in a “Splash and Dash” warmup event for the coming year.

The Humboldt triathlon team had its inaugural season last year, finishing fourth in the West regional qualifier among D-II programs. Triathlon has been labeled an emerging sport for women by the NCAA, an effort to one day elevate the sport to full NCAA status if certain parameters are met.

“It’s just been a dream honestly,” said head coach Kinsey Mattison. “I never had the opportunity to really just prepare for a triathlon season (as a coach). This year was the first time to do that and it makes such a difference.”

With a full offseason to recruit and train, Mattison is optimistic the program will continue to grow in its second season.

“I think it’s realistic for us to be in the top half of the Division II teams in the country,” she explained. “There are 17 Division II teams in the country, I think it’s very possible that we can be sixth or seventh at nationals this year.”

Jake Matson can be reached at 707-441-0526.

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