• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Photo

Junior Ashley Caldwell finished fourth overall (21:05) at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota

The Bruin cross-country corps may just be a little shaky these days, but if two standout runners have their way, UCLA will soon be on top.

Standouts Austin Ramos and Ashley Caldwell continue to build upon their early season success, most recently turning in impressive performances at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota.

Ramos finished sixth in a field of 225 competitors with a time of 24:21, while Caldwell was able to come in fourth out of 287 runners with a time of 21:05.

“Austin’s run today continues to affirm the level of fitness and growing confidence Austin has in running with a lead pack,” said coach Eric Peterson.

Peterson was also happy with Ashley Caldwell’s run, which he considers to be the “run of her life.”

“She put herself in the front early and stayed there. She made a move at the 4000m mark to take the lead, and although she finished fourth, she showed the courage and aggressiveness we need when competitng,” said Peterson.

Their respective teams, however, did not fare so well.

Second to Ramos for the men was Mike Hadden in 56th place, with the women’s second place finisher for UCLA coming in at 43rd. The inability of either team to follow up their number-one runners with solid performances led to a 13th place finish for both squads.

Still, Peterson is pleased with some of the things he saw last Saturday.

“I’m very pleased with the leadership of both teams,” Peterson said. “Ashley ran the same time in Minnesota that she did earlier in the season on an easier course.

“We need things like that from our more experienced runners to take the pressure off of our younger runners.

“Austin ran a great race as well. He’s proving to everyone that he is able to run at the level he indicated he would early on this season. He is a very exciting athlete right now.”

The main issue for both teams seems to be an overload of youth and inexperience.

Both teams rely heavily upon both sophomores and freshmen, with the second and third finishers for both the men and women being sophomores.

“Our low position right now is related to the inexperience,” Peterson said.

”We’re relying heavily upon these young athletes who are very capable runners but as of yet haven’t been in enough races at the college level.”

Now back home in Westwood, the Bruin cross-country corps will regroup, establish their daily schedules, and train for two-and-a-half weeks before their next race in Terra Haute, Indiana at the Pre-NCAA Invitational.

“We lost an opportunity on Saturday to put ourselves in a position to qualify for the NCAA’s,” Peterson said.

“We cannot do that again in Terra Haute.

“A high place finish will pay off for both teams.”