This weekend is all about the competition for the UCLA women’s track and field team.
On Friday and Saturday, the team will compete at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational held at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York City in the team’s second full squad meet of the 2009 indoor season.
“I think last week was a good opener and confidence booster for the kids,” coach Jeanette Bolden said. “This is a lot stiffer competition. There’s a lot more schools. We had a great time in Boise. It’s time to step it up a notch.”
The top six teams in the nation will be on hand: Texas A&M, Tennessee, Michigan, Louisiana State, Florida State and Texas.
The New Balance Invitational will give the team an opportunity to see teams they will face later in the season at Regionals and the NCAA Championships.
“It’s time for us to go meet them early as opposed to being surprised seeing them late in the season,” Bolden said.
The meet will also give a few stars a chance to return to the track. Three seniors ““ Nicole Leach, Krystin Lacy and Rhonda Watkins ““ will get their season under way.
“It feels good to have them all healthy,” Bolden said. “Last time we were all on the track they had injuries. It puts a dent on everything when you have your stars being a little beat up.”
Leach will run in the 4×400-meter relay and Lacy in the 400m. Watkins will compete in the long jump, in which she won the national championship in 2007.
“It’s nice to get back into the flow and race pace and running,” Leach said. “It’s early in the season so there’s no pressure. We are just expected to compete.”
While the seniors have been resting up, the freshmen have made a quick adjustment to college.
Camilla Dencer has posted a couple wins in the 400m and last week in Boise, RoNecia Nash, Yasmin Woodruff and Nijah Nelms swept in the 60m.
“We have a young team and (a) very talented team,” Leach said. “It’s foreshadowing of what’s to come. I don’t know what to expect. I heard a lot of good things. I’m excited to see a team that’s healthy and competing at a high level.”
This will be the first time the Bruins compete at the New Balance Invitational and they are planning on taking advantage of the new opportunity in front of them.
“The kids are looking forward to it,” Bolden said. “They are excited to go. Everybody is excited they are going. Knowing that they know what the competition is going to be ““ we’re ready for it.”