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.