NICOLE MILLER/Daily Bruin Sophomores Tiffany
Burgess and Jessica Marr followed by
senior Katie Nuanes compete in a meet vs. USC last
season. WOMEN’S TRACK Texas Relays Today-Saturday
All Day Austin, TX
By Christina Teller
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The No. 2 UCLA women’s track and field team is heading to
Texas for its first big meet of the season. The Texas Relays will
pit the Bruins against teams from across the country and will
showcase the talent of 5,000 high school, collegiate and
professional athletes.
“This meet gives us an opportunity to compete against
schools from all over the country,” Head Coach Jeanette
Bolden said. “We’ll be able to see how we’re
doing based on others in the country.”
The Texas Relays offer a rare chance for middle and long
distance runners to compete in relays. Usually, at the meets that
offer middle distance relays, the competition is less intense
because the shorter relays, the 4×100 and the 4×400, are the most
competitive events.
“The kids get a chance to keep working on the technical
aspects of the race without the pressure of being in open
race,” Distance Coach Eric Peterson said. “They also
get the chance to experience the camaraderie that comes with the
relay race.”
The 4×800-meter relay will be run by junior Ysanne Williams, and
sophomores Jessica Marr, Tiffany Burgess and Lena Nilsson. The
4x400m will be run by Williams, Marr and Burgess and either senior
Bridie Hatch or Nilsson depending upon their other events. The
distance medley will be run by Marr (1,200m), Williams (400m),
Burgess (800m) and Hatch (mile).
The middle distance squad looks to continue the strong precedent
that it has set for itself so far this season.
The Bruins feature five solid 800m runners in Williams, Nilsson,
Marr, Burgess and Hatch. Nilsson also looks to perform well in the
1,500m.
Pole Vault Coach Anthony Curran is anticipating a successful
weekend at the meet because of the winds in Texas. Competing in an
environment where the wind does not change directions during the
meet, such as Texas, takes away the pressure of adjusting to
weather conditions. The wind can greatly impact a pole
vaulter’s performance. Tail winds, which go in the same
direction as the vaulter, are beneficial while head winds force the
athlete to work harder.
“They make it easier to jump on bigger poles with higher
grips,” Curran said. “The wind doesn’t blow in
your face, and you don’t have to worry about (the winds)
crossing or stopping ““ they usually stay the same.”
Junior pole vaulter Tracy O’Hara returns to the stadium
where she attempted the world record just a year ago. Having
cleared 13-feet-5 1/2-inches in the last meet this season,
she’s been steadily improving throughout the season.
Junior Heather Sickler was struggling earlier in the season, but
had a strong showing last weekend at 12-6. Senior Erika Hoernig is
also looking stronger.
“This week could be the biggest week of year for the
vaulters,” Curran said.
The throwers and jumpers will also send a large contingent to
compete in Texas while many of the sprinters will take the weekend
off to rest up for the Bruins’ next home meet against
Nebraska on April 14.