The Oregon Ducks’ track and field team pulled off a sweep in the Pac-12 championships for the fifth year in a row. But the Bruins provided a strong challenge, backed by several strong individual performances.
The UCLA men’s and women’s teams finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Pac-12 championships at USC after coming into the weekend in first and second in the standings.
“We came in third, but I mean it’s still a great result. Third place is still at the top of the conference, so we’re pretty pleased,” said redshirt junior thrower Julian Wruck, who finished first in the discus event.
In addition to Wruck’s first-place showing on Sunday, junior captain Mike Woepse earned the conference pole vault title Saturday.
Also on Saturday, redshirt freshman Nicholas Scarvelis finished second in the shot put while Wruck finished fifth.
On the women’s side, sophomore sprinter and long jumper Kylie Price set a personal record in the long jump.
“I PR’d, so I was happy about that and didn’t mind that I got second. I’m just happy that I PR’d and scored for my team,” Price said.
The UCLA men’s throwing team continued to deliver strong performances with its showing on Sunday. Junior hammer thrower Alec Faldermeyer opened the day’s competition with a third-place finish in the hammer throw. In the discus event, Wruck threw for a meet record of 214 feet, 7 inches. His teammate and defending Pac-12 discus champion redshirt junior Matthew Kosecki came in second place.
“I went out there feeling a little tired, but I was still able to throw well. My teammates cheered me on and lifted me up and I threw a little better than I thought I would,” Wruck said.
Sophomore hurdler Brea Buchanan scored big Sunday, claiming second place in the 100-meter hurdles, only losing to the leader by a hundredth of a second. She also joined Price and freshman sprinter Kelly Rhines to complete a trio of Bruins who finished in scoring position in the 100 meters.
The women’s pole vault team also finished day two of the competition with multiple Bruins finishing in scoring position. Senior pole vaulter Allison Koressel came in second place while senior Liz Goodrich came in eighth.
Despite a strong performance in the Pac-12 championships, Wruck said that the UCLA throwers still have room to improve ahead of NCAAs.
“All in all, I think the team’s in good shape to do well; we just need to refine our performances just a little bit,” Wruck said.
Compiled by Aubrey Yeo, Bruin Sports contributor.