By Christina Teller
Daily Bruin Contributor
Saturday’s track meet at Drake Stadium will match longtime
rivals UCLA and USC for the 16th time in women’s competition.
But winning it will take more than sheer athleticism: it’ll
take planning and thoughtful precision fit for a battlefield.
With her eyes fixed on Saturday since the season’s opening
meet, UCLA head coach Jeannette Bolden has made her moves according
to a unique and well-thought strategy, as though this was some sort
of chess game.
“We are looking forward to a tremendous competition this
Saturday,” Bolden said. “I know that the ‘SC team
is going to be ready.”
Riding a seven-year tide of victory, Bolden is hoping for an
eighth straight Saturday.
But it will have been well planned-out.
Bolden noted that the spring training cycle is shaped with the
bigger meets in mind. Just two weeks away from the Pac-10
championships and three weeks from the NCAA meet in Durham, N.C.,
UCLA still has a more immediate foe to face this weekend ““
the longtime nemesis Trojans.
“It’s been a balancing act, between training and
resting to get them ready for this meet,” Bolden said.
“We’re sort of playing a chess game. I think coach
Allice and I are playing this chess game pretty well.”
Balance has been the key word for the Bruins this season. With
challenges in the heart of Texas and a showcase at the Mt. Sac
Invitational, UCLA has finagled its way through the season with
eyes fixed on the present task, but always looking ahead.
The UCLA-USC dual meet is a tradition. In its 16th year of
existence for the women, the meet draws the largest crowd of the
season.
With an added 5,000 “I’m Going to College”
students attending the meet, the Bruins will have the advantage of
support.
“The rivalry is a good thing to bring track and field
back,” Bolden said. “It’s a good thing to have so
many local athletes from USC and UCLA to come here so their
families can watch them compete.”
Senior thrower Seilala Sua should have free reign over the
field. Described by throwing coach Art Venegas as “an
incredibly competitive human being,” she will compete in four
events ““ discus, shot put, hammer throw and javelin ““
this weekend in her last UCLA-USC showdown.
Saturday will also feature UCLA pole vaulter Tracy
O’Hara.
Currently the indoor and outdoor collegiate record holder in the
pole vault, O’Hara is approaching the meet looking to set a
new personal best.
“It’s going to be a great rival meet,”
O’Hara said. “I’m really going to work on my
speed technique to keep it consistent for the upcoming nationals
and trials.”
With great depth in her jumpers, Bolden’s team holds an
advantage, led by sophomore long jump indoor national champion
Keyon Soley. Her seasonal best is 20-11 3/4.
Track and field is as mentally challenging as it is physically.
Through the season, Bolden has been carefully selecting her moves.
She has rested players and pulled people from races in order to
ensure that they peak at the right time. Across town, USC coach Ron
Allice has been doing the same. Not entering his athletes in last
week’s Cal-Nevada Championships, he opted for one more week
of rest before facing the Bruins.
Traditionally, track and field is also an individual sport. Like
chess, it is most intense for those directly involved. Relying upon
their practice and strategy, the participants give their best and
wait for the other to respond. The contest is settled when one side
corners the other’s strength.
Up against a tough field of competition, Bolden’s
sprinters have their work cut out for them. Though USC has faster
times than the Bruins in most of the sprint and relay events,
Bolden said that it will be anyone’s match.
“This meet is a one race event ““ it’s over in
just one day,” Bolden said. “It comes down to
who’s on that day, who’s heart and soul are in it and
who has the desire.”