Now that two-time NCAA champion Sheena Johnson has graduated,
UCLA women’s track and field coach Jeanette Bolden is hopeful
that one of her young hurdlers can step up in her place. So far,
it’s junior Dawn Harper who has shown the most promise.
Harper, an All-American herself last year, took second place in the
60-meter hurdles at the Tyson Invitational on Saturday in
Fayetteville, Ark., site of next month’s NCAA Indoor
Championships. Her time of 8.15 seconds was the second-fastest of
her career and automatically qualified her for a return trip to
Arkansas next month. Such a strong performance early in the indoor
season is a great sign for Harper, who was slowed by pain in both
her knees last year. Injuries limited her for the first half of
last year’s outdoor season, and she was unable to recapture
the burst she showed during a spectacular indoor campaign that
culminated in a fourth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles at the
NCAA Championships. Now healthy again, Harper will be looking to
improve on that result next month. Her latest performance indicates
she has a good chance. Harper’s time in the 60-meter hurdles
at the NCAA Championships was 8.13 seconds, just .02 seconds faster
than her latest mark. Among the hurdlers who could not keep up with
Harper were a pair of former Bruin greats ““ Johnson (8.17
seconds) and Michelle Perry (8.20 seconds) ““ who competed
unattached. Only Nebraska’s Priscilla Lopes, the favorite to
capture the NCAA title next month, defeated Harper, taking first
place in a speedy 8.03 seconds. USC’s Virginia Powell, who
did not compete Saturday, is also expected to contend in the
event.
TRIPLE THREAT: UCLA’s Candice Baucham established herself
as an NCAA title contender in the triple jump on Saturday, taking
first place at the Tyson Invitational with a mark of 43 feet, 10
inches. Baucham, who enjoyed a breakout indoor season a year ago,
automatically qualified for next month’s NCAA Indoor
Championships, where she hopes to improve upon last year’s
third-place finish. The 5-foot-5 senior eclipsed the 43-foot mark
on her first three jumps, electing to pass on her final three
attempts after securing the nation’s fourth-best jump of the
season. Among those who Baucham defeated was Clemson’s Gisele
Oliviera, another leading NCAA contender in the triple jump.
Oliviera finished second at 43 feet, 8 inches.
SHORT SPRINTS: Having already qualified for next month’s
NCAA Championships, pole vaulter Jackie Nguyen improved upon her
lifetime best indoors by clearing the bar at 13 feet, 4 inches on
Saturday … Lara Saye, who expects to contend for an outdoor title
in the discus, showed her versatility on Saturday, posting lifetime
bests in the weight throw (61 feet, 7.50 inches) and the shot put
(50 feet, one-half inch) … UCLA will enjoy a week off before
heading to Seattle to defend its MPSF Indoor title on Feb.
25-26.