The West Regional Championships have only been in existence for
two years, and the UCLA men’s track and field team has won
both titles.
Now, with a third go-around set for this weekend in Eugene,
Ore., the Bruins’ chances for a three-peat rest heavily on
the shoulders of senior Jon Rankin.
“The success of our team is heavily dependent upon Jon
competing at his usual level,” distance coach Eric Peterson
said. “He is of paramount importance to us because of what he
has been able to do week in and week out, and so his success is
critical to our success.”
Rankin, who in his senior year has become one of the
nation’s top middle-distance stars, will be competing in both
the 800 and 1500 meters, a somewhat surprising double given the
heightened competition of the West Regionals, in which many
athletes focus on one event to avoid spreading themselves too
thin.
“I’m really excited about it and I think it’s
something the team could use going into finals,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say the team is dependent upon my doubling,
but it’s something nice to have.”
Given his current ranking, Rankin, who is tops in the West
Region in the 800m with a time of 1:47.11, and second in the 1500m
at 3:40.39, may be better prepared to try himself at two events
than his competitors, needing only a fifth-place finish to qualify
for the NCAA Outdoor Championships on June 8-11.
“It’s very important for Jon to maximize the
opportunity to choose the event that he’ll be able to best
represent the team in come time for nationals,” Peterson
said. “It’s hard to say what event that might be at
this time, depending on how well he does this weekend and how well
the competitors from the other regions run.”
If Rankin is able to qualify in both events, neither he nor
Peterson ruled out the possibility of another double at the
championships.
“It depends on how strongly I do this week, but I think my
best chance will be in the 1500 and maybe get 10 points in that and
come back with two or three points in the 800, maybe more,”
Rankin said.
Besides Rankin, the Bruins will be looking for big performances
from Craig Everhart and Brandon Johnson, who will both set out to
defend their 2004 regional titles and earn berths to
Sacramento.
Everhart, who finished first in the 400m one year ago, is
currently ranked third in that event and will also be competing on
the fourth-seeded 4x400m relay team.
Johnson, a sophomore and last year’s 400m hurdle champion,
has recently found success at the 400m, but will focus on just the
hurdles.
Also taking aim at a first-place finish this weekend are junior
Jeremy Silverman and freshman John Caulfield, who are both within
striking distance with a third and seventh best throws,
respectively.
Yoo Kim, who won his first Pac-10 title in the pole vault two
weekends ago, is set for a showdown against No. 1-ranked Oregon
pole vaulter Tommy Skipper, who no-heighted in the conference
championships.