After a long offseason of preparation and training, UCLA
men’s track coach Art Venegas will finally see some results
this afternoon from his team. Today, the Bruins will travel up
north to take part in the University of Washington Invitational for
the squad’s first indoor meet of the season. This meet will
serve as a tune-up for some veteran athletes, as well as a chance
for the coaches to assess some of the team’s younger members.
“We want to feel our way around and see where we
stand,” Venegas said. “There are a lot of youngsters
that we want to evaluate.” In particular, Venegas will likely
be looking to find who will be competing in the 4×400-meter relay
team, which is anchored by standout senior Craig Everhart and
junior Brandon Johnson. “We could be a great relay team or we
could be just a good one,” Venegas said. “We have two
extremely fine veterans for the third and fourth legs, so we are
looking for the newcomers to be very competitive. It will all come
down to who wants it more.” Everhart, who is from the state
of Washington and expects to have family members in attendance,
will also be starting in the distance medley relay in the 400m leg
of the event. Though this is the first meet of the year, the
All-American has no plans of easing into the season. “I
don’t feel like this is a warm-up for me,” Everhart
said. “I don’t approach any meet with a lackadaisical
attitude. This is my senior year, and I want to get things started
on the right foot.” Venegas also noted that he will not be
carrying a full team of sprinters, jumpers and throwers to Seattle,
opting to reserve the bulk of his top athletes for next
week’s competition in Boise, Idaho.
WOMEN’S TRACK: Like the men, the women’s team will
also be heading to the University of Washington with only a limited
squad as they begin the indoor season. However, the Bruins will be
very well represented, as they will have their elite athletes in
each area competing, including the collegiate record-holder in the
pole vault, Chelsea Johnson. “The first meet is always a
little anxious and exciting,” she said. “I’m
looking to jump over 14 feet.” Coming off of an
injury-riddled outdoor season, Johnson is approaching this meet and
the indoor season with caution, noting that the team is built more
for outdoor competition. Staying healthy now will allow Johnson to
excel in the spring. “We are just going to see what
happens,” she said. “I haven’t had any injuries,
so my goal is to just stay healthy so I can clear some big heights
in outdoors. We aren’t looking for anything spectacular
(during the indoor season) ““ I’ll be happy with
anything in the mid to high 14s.” Competing along with
Johnson will be fellow UCLA All-Americans Dawn Harper (hurdles),
Ashley Caldwell (distance medley relay) and Kamalya Warren
(throws).