UCLA track and field leapt out to a fast start in its first meet of the 2015 season, the NAU Team Challenge.
Competing against programs from Northern Arizona University, UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach, Southern Utah University and Cal State Bakersfield, the Bruins finished with 18 wins in the invitational’s 30 events. In the separate dual meets, both the men’s and women’s teams swept the field.
Many returning UCLA athletes impressed in the season debut, including defending Pac-12 champion redshirt junior Nicholas Scarvelis in the shot put, redshirt senior Mike Woepse in the pole vault, redshirt senior Kelsey Smith in the mile and redshirt senior Ida Storm in the weight throw.
The freshmen on the team also showed that they were capable of pulling their weight in their first collegiate meet, placing first in several events. Leon Powell won in the 60-meter dash, Pattriana Perry won in the 60-meter hurdles, Joe Herrera won in the men’s 400-meter dash, and Kimani Austin-Reese won in the women’s 400-meter dash.
UCLA will continue its indoor season in the New Mexico Collegiate Invitational on Jan. 31.
Compiled by Derrek Li, Bruin Sports senior staff.