Chelsea Johnson has done it again, only this time it’s
sweeter. The senior broke the NCAA pole vault record on Sunday at
the Pac-10 Championships in Eugene, Ore., clearing 15 feet, 1 inch.
“I had a couple of down weeks in practice,” Johnson
said. “But last week were the best practices I’ve had
in my life. My confidence was high coming into the meet.” The
record-breaking performance comes just weeks after Florida
State’s Lacy Jansen had bested Johnson’s old record of
15-0. Jansen cleared 15-0.25 during the Atlantic Coast Conference
Championships three weeks ago, leaving Johnson the second best in
the country. “I’m just glad to be a part of
Chelsea’s career here at UCLA,” coach Jeanette Bolden
said. “She has really been amazing, being able to do all that
she has done. And I have enjoyed being able to see it all.”
Johnson’s win provided big points for the Bruins, who
finished fourth overall in the standings with 103 points. Johnson
also took three attempts at 15-3, which would have been a
world-leading mark, but was unable to clear. However, Johnson has
once again solidified herself as the top collegiate pole vaulter in
the nation. “I was happy with 15-1, but not satisfied,”
Johnson said. “I want 15-3 or higher. It’s possible in
the future because at 15-3 I felt my first and third attempts were
good efforts. The conditions were perfect today.”
FRESHMAN PHENOMS: The Bruins also received big
boosts from a pair of first-years in multiple events. Freshman
Nicole Leach secured the Pac-10 title in the 400-meter hurdles,
while also finishing second in the 400m. “Nicole really kept
us in the meet,” Bolden said. “Coming in as a
first-year, she is continuing the legacy of great UCLA 400m
hurdles, like Joanna Hayes and Sheena Johnson.” Leach won the
hurdles in 57.27 seconds, and ran 52.61 in the 400m. In the field
events, freshman Rhonda Watkins also made a huge impact, capturing
an individual title in the high jump at 5-11.25. She also took
third in the long jump on the same day, finishing with a mark of
20-7.25. “They had a tremendous impact,” Bolden said.
“They are both feeding off of each other’s success and
competitiveness.”
NOTES: Senior Dawn Harper had a frustrating day
in the 100m hurdles, finishing in last place in the finals on
Sunday. Halfway through the race, Harper’s leg bandaging came
unraveled and did not allow Harper to finish strongly. … Junior
Ashley Caldwell scored points in two events, finishing fourth in
the 1500m (4:21.46) and sixth in the 800m (2:09.33). … Redshirt
sophomore Renee Williams finished second in the long jump (20-9.25)
and third in the triple jump (42-2.75).