Some of the nation’s top track and field programs were present this weekend at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.
Three teams ranked in the top 25, including No.2-ranked and defending national champion Oregon, were in competition on the men’s side. Five top-25 teams were also present on the women’s side.
In their toughest test of the indoor season thus far, many Bruins made their mark.
Two Bruin redshirt seniors came away with strong performances in the weight throw. All-American Ida Storm won her second straight meet in the weight throw with a toss of 71-00.75. And on the men’s side, Alec Faldermeyer competed in the weight throw as well, placing third with a mark of 64-8 in his first meet in nearly a year.
The highlight of the throwing group came with redshirt junior, Daily Bruin writer Nicholas Scarvelis in shot put. The reigning Pac-12 champion and newly-hired A&E contributor achieved an indoor personal best of 63-4.75, placing second overall.
After the meet, Scarvelis said that he’s aiming for some new personal bests by season’s end.
“I would be happy if I hit over 20 meters this season, which is 65.6 feet,” Scarvelis said. “Also definitely trying to place top 16 in order to make nationals. Those are my two goals for the year.”
Scarvelis’ progression to his personal best this weekend has not been without some changes in technique along the way. The redshirt junior said he switched his technique from a glide to a full spin two seasons ago, a transition that he said has paid off in competition.
“My coaches decided to move me to the spin technique about a month before the junior world championships last year,” Scarvelis said. “It was a bit of a risky move, but I ended up making the junior world championship team and throwing really well. I’ve been spinning ever since.”
Obtaining his second straight win in the pole vault, Mike Woepse cleared 18-2.50 for a season best. With only two meets left for the redshirt senior, Woepse is shooting for the school record in order to close out his UCLA career on a high note.
“It’s honestly surreal. I can’t really put into words how I feel having only two meets left,” Woepse said. “I just want to do well for my coaches and teammates, and to close out my career with this record. I know it’s in the bag, I just need to get it done.”
Other notable Bruin performances this weekend included freshman Jessie Maduka’s third-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 20-7, and All-American senior Kylie Price jumped 20-1 in the same event to place sixth.
The distance team was not in New Mexico, as they were competing at the Husky Classic in Seattle. Junior Nick Hartle ran a lifetime best of 1:48:75 in the 800m dash, placing fifth overall.
The Bruins do not have competition this week, so they will start preparation for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation indoor championships, which begin on Friday, Feb. 27.
Compiled by Vikram Sairam, Bruin Sports contributor.