It may have been his first collegiate track meet, but true
freshman Ryan Hollins showed no signs of the pressure, competing
like a seasoned veteran.
But then again, Hollins is used to pressure as the starting
center for the UCLA men’s basketball team. And last
weekend’s Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational
meet at Drake Stadium was no different.
Literally running back and forth between events, Hollins
registered personal records and placed second in both the triple
jump (46 feet, 1.25 inches) and high jump, competed in the long
jump (23-3) and qualified for the NCAA Regionals with a 6-9.5 high
jump.
Not bad for his first meet.
“It’s hard to compare track and basketball,”
Hollins said. “But there’s definitely less stress here
than on the court.”
With his commitments to the basketball team, Hollins was unable
to participate in and compete on the track team until last weekend,
but there was no apprehension from the coaches, who are just happy
to have him now.
“Its phenomenal what he’s doing and just a breath of
fresh air,” UCLA men’s track and field head coach
Art Venegas said. “He’s not just competing at a high
level, he’s aggressive and all over the place.”
Hollins’s impressive marks undermine his short tenure in
the world of track and field. According to the athletic department,
Hollins joined his high school team in March of last year, yet
still went on to capture the Div. III CIF title in the triple jump.
With only one year’s experience in track, most attribute his
success as a carry-over from basketball.
“In basketball, he’s doing a lot of explosion work
that he needs for jumping so it’s not too hard to make the
adjustments out here,” jumps coach Al Joyner said.
“He’s gotten so much going in a such a short time
because he’s such a tremendous athlete. Here he was just
outstanding.”
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
With a captivating finish in the pole vault, sophomore Yoo Kim
became the seventh highest vaulter in school history with his
winning vault of 17-8.50, also setting a personal best.
Three other Bruin athletes won their events on Saturday.
Sophomore Erik Emilsson finished first in the steeplechase in
9:02.46, senior Kevin Weaver won the high jump (6-11) and freshman
Demetre Howard beat Hollins for first in the triple jump with a
mark of 47-5.
The invitational was highlighted by performances from elite
men’s athletes including Bruin greats Jess Strutzel, who won
the 800m competing for Nike, and John Godina, who won the shot put
for the adidas team.