Regional format in need of a tune-up A mere
five hours after the first vaulter had taken flight early Friday
afternoon, UCLA’s Chelsea Johnson approached the runway in
preparation for her final attempt at a personal record 13-foot,
10.25-inch jump. She missed, ending by far the longest day of pole
vaulting in her career. The regional competition, which lasted for
nearly six hours, included the 40 best pole vaulters on the West
Coast. Johnson finished sixth after tying a personal record
(13-6.25), but admitted that the protracted nature of the meet
hindered her performance. “It was very ridiculous,”
Johnson said. “I was exhausted. It was hard to stay warm when
there was so much time in between jumps.” It was
understandable that in the first year of the regional format, there
would be some kinks to work out. But with a strong field that
included seven of the top 10 collegiate vaulters in the nation, it
would seem that the NCAA should look at raising the opening bar in
the future. Thirty-five of the 40 competitors were still alive
after the first two bars on Friday. “Pole vaulters are used
to long competitions, but when it gets into the six-hour range,
that’s pretty ridiculous,” UCLA pole vaulting coach
Anthony Curran said. “I think we’ll see the NCAA raise
the heights a little higher for next year.”
Living at-large Three Bruins are hopeful of
securing an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships in Sacramento
next week after failing to earn an automatic bid over the weekend.
Despite finishing sixth in the pole vault, Johnson is virtually
assured of a spot in the field at nationals since her season best
mark is currently the eighth best in the nation. Discus throwers
Briona Reynolds and Lara Saye also have a chance to secure a bid
despite finishing sixth and eighth respectively on Saturday. The
NCAA selects the top five finishers in each event at Regionals, and
then six wild card entrants who are picked based on their
season-long performance.
Henderson healthy again After pulling out of
the Pac-10 Championships with tightness in her side, Monique
Henderson was back in action for the Bruins this weekend. The
sophomore won the 400m in a season-best 52.01 seconds, despite
still feeling a little bit tight again before the race. Henderson
will also anchor the 4x400m relay for the Bruins at the NCAA meet,
but will not run in the 200m there. “It was my decision and
the coaches’ decision,” Henderson said. “We knew
that it would be too many events with the 400 and the 4×4, so we
dropped the 200m.”
Double duty for Gordon UCLA freshman Sheena
Gordon was the busiest Bruin of all Saturday afternoon, as she
competed in the triple jump and high jump competitions
simultaneously. Despite running back and forth between the two
events for nearly an hour, Gordon secured qualifying marks in both.
She tied for second in the high jump with a mark of 5-10.50.
Moments earlier she finished fifth in the triple jump with a jump
of 40-10.50.
Finals fallout With the NCAA Outdoor
Championships falling right in the middle of finals week for the
Bruins, the athletes have had to plan ahead. Many members of the
squad are taking exams during 10th week, while others plan on being
tested in Sacramento.
Compiled by Jeff Eisenberg, Daily Bruin Senior Staff