TRACK
UCI Invitational
Saturday -All day
Irvine, CA
USA Invitational
Friday-Saturday
Atlanta, GA
Last Chance Meet
Friday
Ames, IA
By Christina Teller
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
As one season wraps up, another one begins.
Part of the UCLA track and field team will finish the indoor
season at USA Indoor Nationals in Arizona and the Last Chance Meet
at Iowa State, while some of the other athletes will begin the
outdoor season at the UC Invitational in Irvine.
It is the last weekend for athletes to qualify for the NCAA
indoor national meet. So far, only a handful of athletes are on
track for nationals. The women are currently ranked No. 4 in the
nation and look to this weekend to fill out their squad as they
prepare to defend the national title.
The squad traveling to Iowa will consist mostly of distance
runners. The women’s distance medley team will make their
debut in Iowa, with senior Bridie Hatch running the 1200-meter leg,
either sophomore Jessica Marr or Tiffany Burgess running the 800m
leg, and Elaine Canchola in the mile. The runner of the 400m leg
has not yet been determined.
Freshman Ysanne Williams is on the bubble to qualify for
nationals at 800 meters and looks to this weekend to hit the
necessary mark.
The USA National meet is an open competition, pitting the top
talent of the nation ““ both collegiate and professional
athletes ““ against each other.
Junior pole vaulter Tracy O’Hara, who holds the collegiate
indoor record of 14 feet, 6 inches, will go up against Olympic gold
medalist Stacy Dragila, who holds the world record of 15-3.
“I love jumping with the elite girls for experience
because I can work on technique, have fun (while) not too stressed
about it,” O’Hara said.
Despite the challenge of this weekend, O’Hara’s eyes
are set on another NCAA title.
Also competing at USAs are senior Christina Tollson, junior
Chaniqua Ross and freshman Jessica Cosby in the shot put. Tollson
will also compete in the weight throw, along with sophomore Carrie
Soong. Freshman Dan Ames will throw the shot put and junior Scott
Moser will be up in the weight.
Senior Michelle Perry will run the 60m hurdles.
The opening of the outdoor season in Irvine will feature the
debut of the men’s hurdlers and sprinters, who have not
competed indoors.
“In terms of the sprinters and hurdlers, all we’re
trying to do is to look at personnel,” Men’s Head Coach
Art Venegas said. “(Men’s sprints coach) John (Smith)
is going to look at personnel at a competition instead of just at
practice.”
According to Venegas, this year’s squad will be an
improvement overall, though they will not be as strong in the
middle distances due to the loss of 2000 800m indoor champion Jess
Strutzel, whose four years of eligibility ran out.
Also competing for the men will be the pole vault group and
javelin throwers sophomore Nate Marum and senior Joe Franklin.
On the women’s side, several distance runners will debut
while jumpers, vaulters and sprinters make the transition from
indoors to outdoors.