Friday, April 12, 1996
Men distance themselves from competition in field events with
depth and strengthBy Emmanuelle Ejercito
Daily Bruin Staff
The UCLA men’s track team will have the advantage in practically
all the events when it hosts a quadrangular meet this Saturday at
Drake Stadium.
The Bruins have posted better marks than Houston, Cal State
Northridge and UC Irvine in almost all events, especially on the
infield.
"In the field events we have depth and strength," UCLA head
coach Bob Larsen said. "It’s hard for most teams to match us in the
field."
UCLA’s nearest competitor in the throws will be Houston’s John
Davis in the shot put (58-9 1Ž4) and Victor Barcot in the
discus (176-9). However, their best marks would be considered
sub-par for the Bruins.
But Houston, behind the strength of two solid performers, will
provide a tough challenge in the long jump. Darius Pemberton jumped
over 26 feet last weekend to take first place at the Texas Relays.
And not far behind him is teammate Sheddric Fields.
"We don’t have real strength in the long jump," Larsen said. "We
don’t have anyone that will challenge or come close to those two
young men."
In the running events, Houston has the edge over UCLA in the
4×100 relays and in the high hurdles.
The team of Isaac Bell, Vincenzo Cox, Fields and Pemberton
posted a provisional qualifying time of 39.99 which surpasses
UCLA’s best time of 40.1.
Pemberton also gives Houston the advantage in the hurdles. He
earned an automatic qualification in the 110-meter high hurdles
with a time of 13.62 at the Texas Relays.
Meanwhile, in the distances, UCLA will mix things up a bit and
diverge from its usual lineup. Mike Terry, who usually runs in the
800 meters, will run the 400. Shifting into Terry’s spot in the 800
will be Dan Niednagel, who ordinarily runs the 1,500. And since the
3,000 meter steeplechase will not be run, Devin Elizondo will find
himself in the 1,500.
"It helps them to extend their speed a little bit," Larsen said
about the change, "and to give them a little bit different thought
process as they go into a different event that they haven’t been
running regularly."
Despite the fact that UCLA has more depth and strength than its
three opponents, Larsen is not ready to overlook this weekend.
"With four schools, I think that each event will have some
excitement and competition," Larsen said.
"With four schools, I think that each event will have some
excitement."
Bob Larsen
UCLA M. Track Head Coach