Darius Reed wanted to come to UCLA in order to train and compete alongside the best hurdlers in the nation.
Right now, he is stealing the spotlight from those teammates.
Reed, in his first year as a Bruin, has been the team’s most consistent hurdler this season.
While the rest of UCLA’s hurdling corps has been slow to rise this year because of injuries and illnesses, Reed has been steadily improving week in and week out.
That was evident last weekend at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational as he nearly won two hurdles races in two days.
On Friday, the freshman from Colorado won the open section of the 110-meter high hurdles in 14.21 and came back on Saturday to tie for first in the invitational section of that same race, lowering his time to 14.11.
“I didn’t run as well as I wanted to yesterday,” Reed said. “I had a stumble off of the first hurdle and I really wanted to come here and correct that today. Overall, I think I am getting better, moving forward every week.”
While All-Americans Kevin Craddock and Brandon Johnson ease their way into the races for precautionary reasons, Reed has come out strong to begin the outdoor season.
He looks to be a force in the Pac-10 and Western Regional Championships, with his sights set on making it to the NCAA Championships as well.
“I think I am just starting to get my legs under me,” Reed said. “Yesterday the end of my race was better, and today the beginning of my race was better. I think once I can put those two together, I am going to have my breakthrough race.”
KLECH MAKES DEBUT: Bruins’ prized recruit David Klech made his debut in a multitude of events over the weekend with mixed results.
Klech placed third in the open high hurdles in 14.82 on Friday while coming in fourth on Saturday in 14.88 in the invitational section.
The freshman also had a busy day in the field competing in two events. The multi-talented Klech began his day Saturday by clearing 6 feet 8.75 inches in the high jump.
While these marks and times are not what the No. 1 track recruit in the nation is used to, Klech has yet to even train more than one day this year outside of the hurdles.
“We have had only two high jump practices, and he came out today and almost jumped 6-9,” jumps coach Mike Powell said.
“We haven’t had any long jump practices, so we are asking him to do a lot, but that’s because he is a great athlete. He will be fine in time, I just want to make sure he is having fun out there.”
NOTES: Junior John Caulfield won the shot put with a mark of 61-10.25, moving him to No. 5 in the nation. Senior Mike Landers also won his event, the pole vault, at 17-3. Landers is the current national leader in that event. Freshman Stan Griffin won the 200m in 21.31.