As Cal track and field journeys over to Fayetteville, Ark., for the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships from June 10-13, the team is looking to meet several individual goals.

"This is the goal that everybody works for," coach Tony Sandoval said. "Just the fact that you're going is something that I think is very special. Most of our athletes that are going to nationals have been here before, and I think they've moved beyond just going to the meet. They want to do well."

The Bears' athletes will likely be putting extra effort toward one thing:

Reversing history.

Even with the outstanding individuals that have competed for Cal in recent years, it has been a long time since the school has seen noteworthy performances from both the men's and women's teams.

The last time the Bears men finished among the top 15 at nationals was 16 years ago, when the squad finished 14th at the 1993 NCAA Championships.

And a top five finish? Lyndon Baines Johnson was the president of the United States the last time that happened, when the men's team finished fourth in 1965.

"You know, there are so many things that are involved with being in the top 20, top 10, whatever it ends up being," Sandoval said. "Some of it is in your control, but not very much of it. All you can do is put forth the very best you can."

This year, Cal brings in a men's team ranked 15th in the nation by the USTFCCCA, and an excellent finish is within reach as the team's top performers put themselves in position to compete for individual national titles.

Last week, senior thrower Martin Maric clinched his second straight West Regional title by tossing a season-best 200-11 ft. The mark was also the third-best among entries at nationals.

But Maric may face additional challenges at the NCAAs because of the difficulty of adjusting to a unique schedule of events at nationals.

"The qualifying round is probably most scary as you only get three throws," Sandoval said. "Last year, the winds were swirling and affecting a lot of people."

If Maric has saved his best for last, though, he could provide a huge boost towards the Bears' overall team score.

There are also expectations riding on distance runner Michael Coe, who has been slowed by an ankle injury, but appears to be finally getting back into racing form.

"(Coe is) close to 100-percent, but I wouldn't say he's all the way back until he shows it in a race," Sandoval said.

If Coe, who is bringing in the sixth-fastest 1500m time to nationals, can come out on top this weekend, it would be a fitting end to a remarkable season for the sophomore.

The women's team will not be bringing in any favorites to the championships, but it's hard to count out senior Katie Morgan, the defending NCAA outdoor champion in the pole vault.

"We have some experience here, but the difference between winning and finishing last at nationals is very small," Sandoval said. "The margin of error is very minimal. We're just going to have to keep our poise as best as we can and hope that we come out okay."

Tags: KATIE MORGAN, CAL TRACK AND FIELD, MARTIN MARIC