Daily Bruin File Photo Pole vaulter Tracy
O’Hara, a three-time Pac-10 champion, is among the Bruins’
hopefuls for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
By J. P. Hoornstra
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
As America stayed glued to its television sets, immersed in the
drama that enveloped the Winter Olympics, several Bruins caught the
bug along the way.
“I was watching the Canadian ice skating pair,” said
thrower Dan Ames, referring to figure skaters Jamie Sale and David
Pelletier. “They really got robbed, they deserved a lot more.
They shouldn’t have to share a gold.”
After Sunday’s closing ceremonies in Salt Lake City,
America had plenty of reasons to rejoice ““ 34 in fact ““
as the country took its best winter medal haul ever.
Yesterday marked the beginning of the two-year wait before the
Olympic flame is lit again. In the meantime, one might as well hang
out at UCLA. Drake Stadium has become a place where the past,
present and future of the Olympics converge.
Maurice Greene, who won two gold medals at the Sydney games in
2000, hones his skills at the track regularly.
“The track is good, it’s a place where we can come
and get away from everything and just get to work,” he said
while unwinding during a recent workout.
Greene, sprinter Jon Drummond, high jumper Lawrence Johnson, as
well as UCLA alumni John Godina (shot put), Seilala Sua (discus)
and Ato Boldon (sprints) are just a few of the past Olympians who
train on campus.
Olympic hopefuls such as Josh Johnson take advantage of
Drake’s facilities as well. Johnson, another former Bruin, is
setting his sights on throwing the javelin in the 2004 games.
He is one of many athletes who train under UCLA’s track
and field staff.
“We’re just happy to see that they like UCLA, that
they like our track. We’re happy that we can provide
something for Olympians to train,” said head men’s
track and field coach Art Venegas.
For the current Bruin track stars, intercollegiate competition
represents just a springboard for their own Olympic dreams.
Scott Moser set the school record in the weight throw in
Northern Arizona Saturday, and hopes to compete on the Olympic
stage as well.
“I started getting serious about this my junior year of
high school, so since then (it’s been a goal).”
Moser trains with Godina, who graduated from UCLA in 1995 and
won the bronze medal in the shot put in Sydney.
“The way that John shows us is through example,”
Moser said. “He’s not really a vocal guy.”
Godina is one of the 387 male and female athletes, coaches and
trainers who have represented UCLA in the Summer Olympics in the
past nine decades.
This tradition has inspired many on the track team to believe
their Olympic dreams are within reach.
Thrower Cari Soong, who has already secured an automatic
qualifying berth to the indoor finals, trains with both Godina and
Sua.
“Once I threw over 200 feet in the hammer (last year), I
saw that (the Olympics) were a possibility.”
UCLA has had a gold medal role model in the coaches’
office for the past eight years. Jeanette Bolden, named head
women’s coach in 1994, was a five-time All-American for the
Bruins from 1981-83.
At the 1984 Olympic games, Bolden took gold in the 4×100-meter
relay.
Having competed on the international platform, Bolden knows the
talent and dedication it requires to make the Olympics.
“Of course, you have to have the talent, but you have to
have a willingness to sacrifice a lot of things in your life that
you really need to be focused,” she said. “And some of
the young ladies currently on the team have a shot at making the
Olympic team.”
The most probable bet to make an Olympic team is pole vaulter
Tracy O’Hara. She already holds the second best mark in NCAA
history.
A three-time Pac-10 champion, O’Hara placed fourth at the
USA Outdoor and represented the United States at the World Outdoor
Championships last summer.
This year, her senior season, she is threatening to take the
NCAA indoor title on March 8 in Arkansas, while looking forward to
her post-collegiate career.
“The whole 2004 year, I’m going to prepare for
it,” she said in anticipation of the summer games in Athens.
“I think I’m on the right track. I’m really
pleased with my progression.”
Los Angeles to Greece probably seems like a long distance for
this year’s team. But the bridge from the Drake Stadium to
the Olympic Games can be crossed. Just ask the 387 that have gone
before.