As Saturday competition came to an end, it was apparent that the weekend had gone quite according to plan for the USC women’s track and field team members, as they donned the forecast on their sleeves.
USC had donned shirts that read “Bruin Bear Trap,” and UCLA was certainly caught in a predicament it is not used to at the annual UCLA/USC Dual Meet.
For only the second time in 17 years, the Women of Troy defeated the Bruins in the event, 93-71, at USC’s Loker Stadium, moving the all-time standings to 21-5 in favor of UCLA.
“Everything went too true to form,” UCLA coach Jeanette Bolden said. “We knew that they were up. I think it was a little bit of everything. I don’t think it was just one performance.”
The UCLA coaching staff created a mock tally before the meet. They predicted No. 9 USC ahead by a few points, and when it came down to the real thing, the No. 25 Bruins could not catch any breaks to steal away that differential.
“I think it shows where we lack depth,” junior Krishna Curry said. “The quality is there. It’s just more the numbers.”
The Bruins had 10 event victories throughout the meet, with four coming from the star senior duo of Nicole Leach and Rhonda Watkins.
Both athletes posted double event wins and turned in impressive overall performances.
“While I’m all about the team part and helping out where the team needs me, track and field is an individual sport so I have to make sure to take care of my portion,” Leach said.
Running in her first event outside of the relays, Leach had no problem taking care of business and came away with two top-five national times, qualifying her for regionals.
In the 400 meters, she cruised to the No. 3 time in the NCAA at 52.04 seconds. Leach pulled away from USC freshman Dalilah Muhammad and won the 400m hurdles for her fourth time at the dual meet, with a time of 56.33, the No. 2 collegiate time.
Watkins had a very busy day that began by clearing 5 feet, 10.75 inches and winning the high jump. After running in the 4x100m relay, Watkins moved to long jump and won that event at 20-5.25. But she wasn’t done.
“You have to give the trooper award of the meet to Rhonda for what she did for the team,” Bolden said.
Because of an injury to jumper Danielle Watson, UCLA was down an athlete in the triple jump and needed some points to stay in contention. Watkins asked Bolden if she could do the triple for the first time in her career. She went out to try the event and came in third by jumping 38-4, earning one point for the Bruins.
Curry won her race in the 800m in a season-best 2:06.05 to pick up five points for the team. Also, sophomore Lindsey Rowe ran a lifetime best in the 100m hurdles at 13.45.
In field action, junior Tara Ross won the javelin with a throw of 166-1.
The Bruin pole vault squad grabbed first and third as junior Katy Viuf cleared 13-3.75 to win and senior Megan Jamerson jumped 12-7.50.
To combat the disappointment of the meet, the Bruins will gear up for a big postseason run as the Pac-10 Championships will take place over the next two weekends.
Practices will focus on technique and fine-tuning in order for the team to be in top shape at the right time.
“We are just trying to find a way to get points at the Pac-10 Championship,” Curry said. “It’s the peak point now. The work has been put in, so now it’s more about racing.”