By Christina Teller
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Hours before the race, it was still unclear whether or not
senior Will Bernaldo would run in the 5000-meter or the 3000m race.
Though the seven UCLA athletes who traveled to the Iowa State
Classic had made their connection in Phoenix, their baggage
hadn’t made it on the plane.
But after their lunch on Friday afternoon, the luggage finally
made it to the hotel. With three hours left before race time,
Bernaldo decided to go for it ““ and clocked a time of
14:19.91, a new personal record.
This came after having PR’d just two weeks ago at Penn
State.
“Because there were more people in this race, it forced
him to use slightly different racing tactics,” UCLA distance
coach Eric Peterson said. “He exercised patience and kicked
really well at the end.”
Four of the other six athletes notched personal records as well
““ sophomores Jessica Marr, Tiffany Burgess and Ysanne
Williams in the 800m, and Elaine Canchola in the 3000m. Senior
Bridie Hatch also ran a strong race at 800m.
“I PR’d, so I can’t be happier,” said
Marr, whose time of 2:09.72 is her second lifetime best in three
weeks. “I mean, I know I could do better, but it was a good
meet.”
“We’ve been having really good practices lately and
have been training since cross country, so we’re happy that
we’re finally competing,” Marr added.
Williams ran in the slowest 800m heat, but she was the top
finisher for the Bruins. Her time of 2:09.29 provisionally
qualifies her for the NCAA Indoor Championships later this
year.
Burgess finished at 2:10.49, which qualifies her for the Pac-10
meet. Hatch, who led her heat for most of the duration of the race,
finished with a time of 2:11.44.
“They’re a pretty tight group,” Peterson said.
“We’ve really been focused on strengthening that part
of the team. Our expectations have gone up, and theirs,
too.”
Canchola ran in the 3000m and PR-ed with her seventh place
finish of 9:42.49.
On the men’s side, senior Paul Muite competed in the mile
race and finished in a time of 4:12.44.