Ashley Caldwell and Austin Ramos have been running like
All-Americans all season long, and now they have a chance to prove
that they are. The two juniors will be representing UCLA today at
the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Both will be looking to
take home All-American honors and join an elite group of Bruins in
the process.
Caldwell is already part of the inner circle of All-American
Bruins, as she attainted the honor in 2003. A exceptional
performance today, however, would propel her status even further up
the all-time charts, as she would become only the second woman in
UCLA cross country history to take home multiple All-American
honors, the first being Polly Plumber in 1985 and 1986.
“It’s overwhelming the way the season has
gone,” Caldwell said. “I couldn’t have asked for
it to go better. I’ve just been feeling stronger with each
race and I’m just looking to end on a high note.”
To achieve the NCAA’s highest honor, a runner must finish
in the top 30. Caldwell has set her sights even higher, as she will
seek to make a run at some of the top contenders in the race.
“Getting All-American is definitely a goal,”
Caldwell said. “But from there, I think finishing in the top
20 would definitely be a great accomplishment.”
Ramos has competed at a high level all season, though this is
just his first appearance at the NCAA Championships. Ramos is
looking to join a prestigious club of UCLA distance runners that
includes only six different All-American performers since 1986,
with four performances coming from Bruin great Meb Keflezighi in
the mid 1990s.