Rhonda Watkins does not really enjoy competing indoors. The runways are small and cramped. But judging by her performance over the weekend, you would think that the sophomore from Trinidad and Tobago had been jumping indoors her entire life.
On Friday, Watkins captured the NCAA individual title in the long jump to lead a small but potent contingent of UCLA athletes at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. The No. 16 Bruins, carrying just four athletes, finished in seventh place overall with 23 points.
Watkins, competing in just her second indoor meet ever, won the event in an impressive fashion, winning by over three inches over the next closest competitor. On her third attempt, Watkins, who came in ranked third in the event, unleashed a monster jump of 21 feet, 6.75 inches. As impressive as that mark is, Watkins looks even more poised to bring home the outdoor title as well, as just last weekend she uncorked a jump of 21-9.50 to open up the outdoor season.
Also scoring big points for the Bruins was sophomore Allie Bohannon, who persevered through a slow race to take second place overall in the mile.
The pace for such a substantial event was below average, allowing Bohannon to stick with the lead pack while saving plenty for the finishing kick.
“The pack was only at 2:30 for the first 800 (meters), which is really pedestrian, but I felt no matter what the pace, Allie would be able to compete,” distance coach Eric Peterson said. “At the beginning of the season, we wouldn’t have necessarily predicted (Bohannon’s finish), but she has really developed a good feel for the mile.”
Bohannon finished in 4:43.36, capturing the first All-American honor of her career.
The final scoring athlete for UCLA was pole vaulter junior Ingrid Kantola who finished in fourth place. Kantola, competing for the first time at the NCAA championship level, eased to a mark of 13-9.25, slightly shorter than her lifetime best of 13-10. Kantola cleared each height on her first attempt before bowing out at 14-1.
The fourth Bruin competing for the women was junior Keneisha Creary, who finished in 18th in the high jump with a clearance of 5-8.75. Creary, a transfer from Southwestern Christian College in Texas, had come into the meet ranked sixth with a mark of 6-0.50. Arizona State took the team championship with 38 points.
UCLA MEN:The No. 20 UCLA men came into the meet shorthanded with only junior thrower John Caulfield participating. Sophomore hurdler Kevin Craddock was one of the favorites in the 60m hurdles, but did not make the trip due to illness.
Caulfield, coming into the competition with the 11th best mark in the shot put, fouled on all three attempts. Wisconsin won the men’s team title with 40 points.