Oregon’s legendary Hayward Field has been home to countless memorable track meets and performances.
This Saturday, the Bruins have the opportunity to create their own unforgettable memories when they travel to Eugene, Ore. for a dual meet against the Ducks. And as the No. 3 team in the nation, the talented and deep Ducks provide a formidable test for the Bruins.
However, UCLA coach Mike Maynard believes that his athletes carry the potential to upset Oregon.
“We have a well-rounded team and great individual performers, but we have to step it up to come out with a win,” Maynard said. “They may take us lightly because we are under-ranked, so we have an opportunity.”
Maynard expects a heightened sense of motivation and purpose out of his athletes, since the meet will follow the typical dual meet scoring format, awarding five points for first place, three for second and one for third.
“I find there is sometimes a lack of motivation at invitationals to push to another level, so a scoring meet is very important to the competitiveness as a team,” Maynard said.
With the dual meet format, Maynard stresses that every place possible to score a point is important, so there are several event areas that Maynard feels the Bruins need to score well in.
To Maynard, the sprints are a vital area that the Bruins need to take advantage of, especially in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100-meter relay. The 4×100 team enters the meet with some extra confidence after an impressive early season time of 40.59 seconds at last weekend’s Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational.
Maynard also sees a win in the 4×100-meter relay as crucial for his squad, because the Ducks’ 4×400-meter relay team poses a very tough challenge for the Bruins to score points. UCLA’s best 4×400 time of 3:15.43 pales in comparison to the Ducks’ season-best 3:08.41.
Even though Oregon boasts a very strong distance team, the Bruins have a chance to make a difference in that area, as athletes are entered to run in their strongest events.
Senior Marlon Patterson will run the 1500 meters, in which he is No. 7 nationally. Junior Cory Primm will be back in the 800 meters, where he is No. 3, after a stint in the mile last weekend. Juniors Dylan and Spencer Knight will compete in the steeplechase; Maynard believes that they can have an impact on the point total.
After an impressive victory in the mile last weekend, redshirt junior Alex Crabill will run the 5000 meters along with senior Marco Anzuresin this weekend’s matchup. Crabill shares Maynard’s mentality about scoring needed points.
“It does not matter which one of us gets first or second because we are only trying to score as many points as possible,” Crabill said.