Most track and field athletes specialize in one or two events. It takes a special talent to be able to run, jump and throw all at the same time.
This weekend in Eugene, Ore., the schools of the Pac-10 will send their best multi-event athletes to compete in the Pac-10 Championships held at the historic Hayward Field.
For the first week of the postseason, the UCLA men’s and women’s track teams will send three athletes to take their best shot to earn some valuable points for their teams and come home with a title.
Women’s coach Jeanette Bolden is traveling with two members of her squad, freshman Ryann Krais and redshirt junior Hillary Werth.
“Our goal this week is to try to get some automatic qualifiers for Nationals,” Bolden said.
Krais, a top young talent who already has a provisional qualifier, comes into the meet ranked fifth in heptathlon scores in the conference with 5,220 points.
“I’m feeling a lot more confident than the last multi with more time under my belt and competition,” Krais said. “Hopefully it goes more consistent.”
Last week at the UCLA/USC Dual Meet, Krais got some much-needed momentum heading into the postseason. She ran a season best in the 100-meter hurdles at 13.97 and a lifetime best in the javelin at 126-08.
Werth has not competed yet this year because she was recovering from an injury. Last year at the Pac-10 Championships, she placed 14th with 4,472 points.
The men will have a lone representative in freshman Trent Perez. He ranks seventh in the conference.
His throws may not earn him a lot of points, but his pole vaulting skills and speed in the 400m are expected to make up the difference.
Because the heptathlon and decathlon take up so much time in practice, only a few are able to make practice times. The practice for these events runs on a unique schedule, but the athletes are used to it.
“Sometimes it gets a little hectic because I don’t know my schedule going into the week,” Krais said. “You definitely have to be flexible, and it fits my personality type.”
OXY INVITE: With a week before the rest of the Pac-10 Championships, the remaining Bruin athletes will compete at the Occidental Invitational.
Some athletes will look to earn regional qualifiers. Stan Griffin hopes to pick one up in the 200m. RoNecia Nash and Nijah Nelms also need to qualify in the sprints.
Male throwers expect to have the week off, but all other groups from both squads will tune up before the postseason begins.