The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships might seem like a huge deal, but even with this meet approaching, the Bruins still have a more distant goal in mind: making it to Nationals.
“If you’re already going to Nationals, it’s just another meet to get you ready,” coach Art Venegas said. “It’s really more for the people who are on the verge of not getting in, so they need to have a great meet.”
The indoor season revolves around Nationals and achieving automatic or provisional qualifiers. Performing well at league and regional meets is less important than getting these marks.
Technically, only one Bruin has been assured a spot to the national meet. Redshirt senior Boldizsar Kocsor achieved an automatic qualifier in the weight throw.
Redshirt sophomore pole vaulter Johnny Quinn also has a pretty good shot of a bid to Nationals according to Venegas.
While he only has a provisional qualifier, his height gives UCLA coaches confidence in his chances.
“The only ones in really good shape right now are Boldi and Johnny Quinn,” Venegas said. “Those two we can pretty much makes plans that they will be at Nationals.”
Many other Bruins have provisional qualifiers but are not guaranteed a Nationals bid. This weekend will help to improve those marks with the hopes of being in a better position.
Venegas lists sophomores Jonathan Clark in the triple jump and Taylor Hobson in the high jump as being in the group that are on the verge of getting into Nationals. Both are in a spot where they might get in but could rest a little easier with better marks.
Redshirt sophomore throwers Nick Robinson and Bo Taylor are also two that Venegas hopes will improve their distances and lock down a spot.
The pole vaulting squad and the distance medley relay have always been strong for UCLA, and both groups are looking to step up this weekend and advance more Bruins higher up on the list.
One of the Bruins top performers, senior hurdler Kevin Craddock, is on the maybe list for the meet.
Craddock has been sidelined due to injury since early February but has recently been having some success with light training. He has provisionally qualified for Nationals, but the coaching staff would like him to have a faster time going into that meet.
“He will probably be making the trip but it will be a meet decision whether we run it or not,” Venegas said.
“It depends on how his training and warm ups go for the rest of the week up there,” he added.
Even with time running out to improve their performance, Venegas is very optimistic about the entire team heading into this weekend.
“When you have most of your team not even having small aches and pains that’s pretty good,” Venegas said. “So we feel good about the program right now.”