When freshman Ashlea McLaughlin strained her hamstring in her heat for the 400 meters on Friday, the women’s 4x400m relay team looked to someone who may have seemed like an unlikely candidate to become the missing link for the race Saturday.
Sophomore hurdler Tierra Ward took the baton in the third leg of the relay at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., and helped the Bruins finish fourth with a time of 3:39.64.
“The overall goal was for the 4x400m team to qualify,” coach Jeanette Bolden said. “We told Tierra she had to step in. She hasn’t done anything long (distance). She has been concentrating on the 60m hurdles.”
The time from the foursome of freshman Joy Eaton, junior Krystin Lacy, junior Nicole Leach and Ward ranks in the top 20 in the nation this season and is a provisional qualifying time for the NCAA Championships.
“We are happy we are getting our stride in the relay,” Bolden said.
Though the injury is a concern for the team, it is only a mild strain, and McLaughlin should be ready to return in a couple weeks.
The highlight from Friday’s action for the Bruins came from freshman Shannon Murakami, who finished sixth in the mile with a time of 4:57.74.
“It was a good meet with good competition,” Murakami said. “I was very content with the mile, but I know I could have run faster.”
Besides a top-10 finish, Murakami also achieved a lifetime best by over five seconds. But the lifetime best is still not good enough in her mind.
“I’ll be pushing a lot harder in practice. I need to work on my starts since I don’t get off the line that quick. I know I can hit the provisional time,” Murakami said.
In the championship section of the pole vault, senior Ingrid Kantola provisionally qualified with a height of 12 feet, 11.75 inches. Sophomore Tori Pena and senior Megan Jamerson both reached 12-6 to finish in the top 10 in the collegiate section, with an eighth place and 10th place, respectively.
Sophomore Danielle Watson jumped a lifetime best of 19-10.75 in the championship section long jump to earn a 10th place finish.
The Tyson Invitational was open to collegiate athletes and those with track clubs competing in three sections: Olympic development, championship and collegiate.
The team will take two weeks off from competition to prepare for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Indoor Championship in Seattle.
“We know what we need to do in MPSF Championships,” Bolden said. “Now it’s time to focus on those individuals and those events. How we do at MPSF shows what kind of team we will take to NCAA Championships.”
FIVE ATHLETES SIGNED: The team announced on Friday that it signed five athletes to national letters of intent. Heptathletes Brittany Borman (Festus HS, St. Louis, Mo.) and Ryann Krais (Methacton HS, Norristown, Pa.), sprinters Roneica Nash (East St. Louis HS, Illinois) and Yasmin Woodruff (St. Mary’s Academy) and distance runner Shelby Buckley (Corona del Mar HS) will join the Bruins in Westwood next fall. All athletes have impressive high school resumes including state titles and national rankings. Last year’s class was ranked No. 2 by Track & Field News.