This weekend marks the last of many indoor track and field careers for various Bruins. UCLA track and field will participate in the 2015 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Indoor Championship in Seattle. Hosted by Pac-12 opponent Washington, 19 different universities spanning three different conferences – Pac-12, Big West, West Coast – will be in attendance.
“This is one of my favorite meets,” said senior sprinter/jumper Kylie Price. “I love the atmosphere and track … in Seattle. I’m just looking to have fun and achieve some new (personal records) and jump well.”
The All-American also mentioned the possibility of qualifying for the nationals this weekend. Last year, Price placed third in the indoor national meet with a jump of 21-1.25. However, she has set goals for this season specifically.
“I’m trying to jump in the 21s consistently and hit 22s consistently as well,” Price said.
Price also noted how the competition factors into her preparation.
“I’ve been running against some of these girls since before high school so I know what it’s going to be like,” Price said. I’m not going to worry too much about that and just focus on myself doing my best and jumping well.”
Competing in his second meet of the season, redshirt senior thrower Alec Faldermeyer also reflected on the impact of this weekend.
“Indoor conference is a pretty big meet for us, ” Faldermeyer said. “It’s the last chance to qualify for NCAA titles and you know there’s a lot of people on our team in that bubble.”
Faldermeyer missed a majority of the outdoor season in 2014 as he was recovering from a combination of injury and mononucleosis. Faldermeyer’s marks from last season were only 3 inches off the indoor weight throw school record and 3 centimeters off the outdoor hammer throw school record, inching towards the chance of making this a memorable weekend. Although he is still recovering, Faldermeyer said he’s still determined to perform to the best of his abilities, taking an all or nothing approach at the meet.
“I might not be physically ready to break a school record or throw a (personal record) but I’m going to try my damnedest,” Faldermeyer said. It could be my last indoor track meet and I’m just going to leave it all on the field.”
Before the injuries, he placed second at MPSF Indoor Championships in the weight throw in 2014. Faldermeyer said the competition within the conference has intensified since then.
“This is definitely the best year in the weight throw the MPSF has had in my entire time in college,” Faldermeyer said. “MPSF used to not be so good in the weight throw but this is the best it’s been in a long time.”
Price and Faldermeyer will be joined by various other senior members and teammates, such as redshirt senior pole vaulter Mike Woepse, and redshirt junior shot put thrower and Daily Bruin writer Nicholas Scarvelis, all looking to make their mark in the conference championship. Should any Bruins qualify for the NCAA indoor track and field championship, they will head to Fayetteville, Ark. on March 13.
The top 16 athletes nationwide from each event will qualify for the NCAA championships in their respective events. Five Bruins were able to qualify for last year’s nationals.
Compiled by Vikram Sairam, Bruin Sports contributor.