2004 Gold medal hurdler earns Owens Award over former Bruin Gail Devers UCLA alumna Joanna Hayes received USA Track and Field’s 2004 Jesse Owens Award, which is given to the most outstanding male and female performer in the sport. Hayes won the gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2004 Olympic Games, breaking the Olympic record in the process. She became the second American ever to win the gold medal in the event. During the year, she posted three of the six fastest times in the world and also won the World Athletics Final. She had also participated in the 400-meter hurdles event earlier in her career, but decided to concentrate on the 100-meters in 2004. “Receiving an award with (Owens’) named attached to it is obviously prestigious, and I am extremely honored to have my name associated with his,” Hayes said in a statement. “Knowing some of the great people who have won this award before me and knowing what it represents, I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride which lets me know that everything that I have worked for is, and always will be worth it.” Justin Gatlin won the honor on the men’s side. The awards will be presented Friday at the 2004 Jesse Owens Awards and Xerox Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Portland. UCLA alumna Gail Devers was also nominated for the award.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Sophomore guard Noelle Quinn was named the Pac-10 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week on Monday following her stellar efforts in the Bruins’ wins over Clemson and Texas. She scored game-highs in both wins. Her 27-point, 11-rebound effort against the fourth-ranked Longhorns propelled the Bruins to their first win over a top-10 team since 1999. It was the third time the sophomore has won the award.
FOOTBALL: Fox Sports West’s “Southern California Sports Report” will telecast live at Bruin Plaza tonight at 10 p.m., following UCLA’s basketball game against Long Beach State. The network is encouraging students to attend. Football analysts Matt Stevens, a former UCLA quarterback, and Petros Papadakis will be on hand to talk about Saturday’s football game against USC. Other guests are scheduled to stop by the set as well.
BASEBALL: UCLA’s club team will hold tryouts next Monday and Tuesday at Penmar Recreation Center in Venice. The team will compete against other colleges and universities in the National Club Baseball Association this upcoming season.
Compiled by Andrew Finley, Bruin Sports senior staff.