For Southern California track fans, Drake Stadium will be the place they want to be this weekend.
The annual Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational will be held at UCLA starting today and going until Saturday.
For the No. 8-ranked Bruins, this will be their last home meet this season after completing a tough three-meet homestand.
“In the past we’ve had at least a weekend in between meets, we’ve never had three meets all in a row,” senior sprinter Krystin Lacy said. “It’s been a little intense, but it’s exciting since it’s my last year to perform at the home stadium.”
The team has been dwelling on the invitational since the beginning of the year.
“We’ve been talking every week about this meet,” coach Jeanette Bolden said. “The athletes are ready to compete.”
For Lacy and the rest of the sprinters, this is their chance to finally run in their primary events.
The past couple of weeks, they have been competing in off-events to build strength and speed.
“This is my first outdoor 400, so hopefully I have a chance to get a regional mark and (a personal record),” Lacy said.
As part of the 4×400 relay team, Lacy has already picked up a regional qualifier.
The team will hope to lower its time and move up in the national ranks.
One of the areas Bolden will pay a lot of attention to is the sprint squad, because this will be its opening meet.
“I’m looking for some of the sprinters to make a little noise and get some regional qualifying marks,” Bolden said.
Athletes in the field events have been very impressive as well, including senior Rhonda Watkins, who has the No. 3 mark in the NCAA in the long jump.
The pole vault squad will once again hope to take most of the top spots. Junior Katy Viuf, senior Megan Jamerson and sophomore Tori Anthony hope to lead the way for the Bruin vaulters.
Making her debut in the heptathlon will be heralded freshman Ryann Krais. Throughout the weekend Krais plans to run, jump and throw her way to a regional mark.
“I’m looking for Ryann to have a good opener in the heptathlon so we’re limiting the amount of work she is doing this week,” Bolden said. “We just need to get the first one over with.”
The competition will be stiff because schools with great reputations, such as No. 1 Texas A&M, come to Westwood.
In addition to the high-caliber teams, several world-class athletes, some of whom have competed in the Olympics, will also compete in the open events.
“I think it will show the more competitive side of the team,” Bolden said. “I’m looking for them to compete.”
The extra motivation to show up against some of the best in the country will bode well for UCLA. This will be the first big meet of the season, and the team is fired up for the challenge.
“We definitely don’t want to get beat on our home track,” Lacy said. “(The competition) takes pressure off getting times, but we are always going to be concerned about getting a victory.”