While the spotlight of the women’s track team has
primarily been on junior Ashley Caldwell this season, a handful of
other Bruins have also made a significant impact in the distance
events and will look to further improve their stock this weekend.
Senior Leslie Barrie, who last week at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie
Joyner-Kersee Invitational ran the second-fastest time in UCLA
history in the 3000 meter steeplechase, will look to further
improve her resume this weekend at the Mt. SAC Relays. Her
improvement comes at a crucial time for the Bruins as the dual meet
with USC looms just three weeks away. “I have been extremely
pleased with Leslie,” distance coach Eric Peterson said.
“She has made some tremendous strides and she will play a
major role at the dual meet since she will probably be running the
steeplechase and also come back later in the afternoon to run the
1500m.” Barrie’s development in that particular race is
a big boost for the Bruins, who have had to cope with the loss of
junior Alison Costello, the school record holder in the
steeplechase, who has been sidelined this season due to a back
injury. In the middle distances, junior Jenna Timinsky has raced
consistently this season and ranks as one of the top ten 800m
runners in the Pac-10, though Peterson says that she is still
capable of better. “Jenna has yet to really have that
breakout performance that she is capable of,” Peterson said.
“I’m not worried about that, though. Jenna is one of
the hardest-working kids I have ever coached and I am confident
that come the dual meet, she will be critical in the middle
distance races.” Timinsky was slated to appear in the 1500m
this weekend at the Long Beach State Invitational, but she has been
hampered by the flu and will forgo this weekend’s
competition.
JUMPERS ON DISPLAY: Another group of athletes
have also stepped up their competition as of late. UCLA’s
high jumping tandem of senior Caroline Sommers and freshman Rhonda
Watkins will also be on display at the Mt. SAC Relays. The two
leapers each recorded new season bests last weekend at Drake
Stadium when they both cleared 5-10.75. Renee Williams, the
Bruin’s top long jumper, will also be featured at Mt. SAC
this weekend.
TIDBITS: Other notable Bruins competing at Mt.
SAC will be junior thrower Kamaiya Warren, senior pole-vaulter
Chelsea Johnson and freshman sprinter Nicole Leach. A few athletes
will also go to the Long Beach Invitational, headlined by junior
pole-vaulter Jackie Nguyen.