Every second matters in track and field.
A sharper lean at the finish line, a quicker reaction out of the starting blocks or a stronger drive off the curve – it all comes down to shaving time.
UCLA track and field will split its squad across two meets Friday and Saturday, sending its distance group to the Husky Classic in Seattle while the rest of the team competes at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Tyson Invitational boasts an elite reputation and is often very selective about entries. The Bruins have 13 women and 11 men slated to participate.
Professional track and field athletes will also compete in this meet, including American gold medalist Alexis Holmes.
Although athletes may feel anxiety before significant races, track and field director Joanna Hayes hopes to create a relaxing atmosphere for her athletes.
“I know that track and field is generally not that fun because it’s really hard and difficult. … I think that enjoying the process of the hard work, giving those breaks and just being able to laugh is important,” Hayes said.
Senior Michael Pinckney is slated to compete and is coming off wins in the men’s weight throw at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational and at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic.
Junior Gabriel Clement II – a 2025 First Team Outdoor All-American selection – will race in the men’s 400-meter dash as the sole Bruin in a field of 69 competitors. Sophomore Cade Sommers, along with seniors Eitan Goore and Hunter O’Brien, will have the chance to reach new heights in the men’s pole vault.
Senior Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck will be one of three Bruins racing the women’s 60-meter hurdles. She credits good coaching for the team’s success.
“Having the coaches believing in us and the fact we all work towards one goal, it just makes everybody want to perform their best,” Ndjip-Nyemeck said.
Seven-time All American senior Naomi Johnson, sophomore Kayla McBride and junior Ava Simms are set to compete in the women’s 400-meter dash.
The Bruins may achieve southern success, the distance squad has the opportunity to shave times in the Pacific Northwest.
“I think we’re gonna focus on the DMR (distance medley relay),” said redshirt freshman Jack Falkowski. “There’ll be some guys running the 5k and I think a couple guys will run the mile. So really just trying to get a good DMR team lined up.”
The Bruin men’s distance medley relay team is seeded No. 1 with the fastest overall time of 9:28.70 in a seven-squad heat.
Freshman Arrin Sagiraju will race the men’s 1-mile run, and junior Henry Coughlan will compete in the men’s 5000-meter run.
On the women’s side, freshman Kaitlyn Arciaga and sophomores Georgia Jeanneret and Marie Warneke will race in the women’s 800-meter run. Senior Annika Salz is the lone Bruin entered in the women’s 5000-meter run.
With the team splintered across two places, Hayes said each athlete is encouraged to undertake a unique path.
“Everyones journey is going to take its own shape,” Hayes said. “The world’s going to get bumpy and sometimes the world’s going to be very smooth. … The goal is to focus on your journey and take each thing step by step.”
Comments are closed.