With next week’s NCAA regionals approaching for the UCLA track and field team, some athletes look to finish their careers strong while others look to forge and improve their collegiate experience.
Regardless, the opportunity to compete at the highest stage affects everyone just the same.
This current week off serves as a period to fine-tune some mechanics and catch up on rest.
For sophomore sprinter and hurdler Trinity Wilson, the week presents an opportunity to rectify mistakes and prepare for the year’s biggest event – her second trip to regionals.
As one of the younger members on the team, Wilson has most of her college career still ahead of her, but each opportunity to reach nationals and compete for a title remains precious.
“It’s great to reach regionals again, but I expected to make it again,” Wilson said. “I’ve taken the regional experience in stride, but I’m definitely not taking it for granted. I didn’t reach nationals last year and I was upset about it.”
The week off will also serve as a time for reflection and contemplation.
Senior pole vaulter Mike Woepse qualified for regionals all four years. This year’s competition marks his last, and he is especially appreciative of his last opportunity to potentially compete on the national stage.
“My freshman year I qualified at the 48th spot so I was the last person in the country to get into regionals. It’s been great to have the opportunity to go to regionals every year but I’ve known since freshman year the anxiety of whether I’m going to get in or not,” Woepse said. “Every year has also been different as I remember my first time at regionals it was raining so each competition has brought its set of challenges and I’m sure this year will be no different.“
Woepse relished the opportunity to reach nationals every year until he failed to make last year’s cut. He hopes to change his fortunes this time around and finish his collegiate career memorably by competing at the highest NCAA stage.
“It definitely becomes more important every year when you have the opportunity to go to regionals and you don’t want to blow it,” Woepse said. “I blew it last year, as for this upcoming event, I’m hoping to do well and finish my career strong.”
The process of reaching nationals has become more comfortable for Woepse each year with the improvement of his relationship with the coaches.
His growing relationship with his coaches has allowed him to set high standards as one of the Bruins’ best.
“We’ve been working a lot on his technique and his jump, but more importantly, he’s starting to believe in himself and he’s shown it in practice,” said pole vault coach Anthony Curran. “It’s great to see him perform well, especially during his last year at UCLA.”
Wilson and Woepse are on opposite ends of the spectrum seeing as Wilson has more than half of her college career left while Woepse is ending his.
Woepse will be passing the torch of leadership down to his younger teammates and his influence is sure to affect the up-and-coming stars on the track team.
“I missed nationals last year but I’ve talked to (Woepse) and he told me that progressing through each year becomes easier whether it’s track or life,” Wilson said. “His advice was important because when you have someone who sets a good example it makes it easier for younger players like me to progress and improve.”