Thursday, June 4, 1998
Track briefs
UCLA discus thrower Seilala Sua successfully defended her 1997
NCAA Outdoor title in the event with a meet record throw of 10-8 on
her first throw of the afternoon. She fouled all but one of the
rest of her throws in the competition.
Washington’s Aretha Hill, the collegiate record holder in the
discus, was the runner-up with a throw of 192-5.
Senior Suzy Powell took fourth in the discus (187-2), followed
close behind by fellow seniors Nada Kawar in sixth place (184-0)
and Rachelle Noble (181-4).
The Bruin women took third in the first preliminary heat in the
4 by 100-meter relay in a time of 44.32 seconds. Texas cruised to
the early lead in the event with a heat one victory in 43.45
seconds. Texas Christian’s 43.90 mark was second in the heat. LSU
holds the top time of the afternoon with the top mark of 43.32
seconds.
The Bruins accumulated 20 points early in the competition to
take the early team lead over Texas and BYU.
* * *
Josh Johnson of the men’s team turned in a lifetime best
performance in the javelin throw. Johnson, throwing with the wind,
managed a personal best throw of 248 feet, 6 inches.
Johnson’s massive throw earned him his second consecutive
fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships.
The winner of the javelin, Esko Mikkola of Arizona, won with a
meet and stadium record throw of 268-7. Mikkola’s mark was the
fifth best collegiate throw of all time.
Scott Slover placed third in the pole vault. In the rain, Slover
managed a vault of 17-10 1/2.
Toby Stevenson, a sophomore from Stanford, won with a vault of
18-2 1/2. Stevenson placed fourth at the Pac-10 meet.
Jess Strutzel qualified for the 800-meter final on Friday.
Strutzel finished second in his heat with a time of 1 minute, 49.59
seconds.
The 400-meter relay team also qualified for the finals.
They will run their final on Friday after running 39.55 seconds
to finish second in their heat and earn the fourth fastest mark of
the day.
The team consists of Brian Fell, Brandon Thomas, Damian Allen
and Jim McElroy.
Compiled by Alvin Cadman and Donald Morrison, Daily Bruin
Contributors.