The four Bruin discus throwers will be competing today at the Big Throwers Classic at Hartnell College in Salinas.
Greg Garza, John Caulfield, Darius Savage and Bo Taylor will try to catch one of the favorable winds in hopes of a big mark.
“It’s competitive,” coach Art Venegas said. “It’s good opportunities with hopefully very positive conditions.”
The meet has no implications for the NCAA Championships, which will begin June 11, but will help in qualifying the athletes for the Olympic trials and getting on the USA Track and Field team for Beijing this summer.
Athletes from across the world will throw at the meet, including some of the top throwers in the U.S.
In order to automatically qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team and to make the “A” cut, the throwers will need to hit just over 209 feet. To be an alternate in case there are not enough athletes in the “A” group, athletes will need to reach 193 feet to make the “B” group.
The Bruin foursome has been very consistent throughout the year and have put in good marks. All four are ranked in the collegiate top 25.
Garza, the recently crowned three-time Pac-10 champion, comes in at No. 2 at 204-9. Caulfield is ranked No. 5 at 197-10. Savage has a season best of 187-4, which puts him at No. 19 on the national list and Taylor is 22nd at 185-9.
Venegas, who has trained many elite throwers throughout his career, sees an opportunity for the athletes to impress the rest of the field.
“We are hoping they relax and have a good time and really throw up to their potential,” Venegas said.
Caulfield, who is suffering from a sports hernia, will tweak his technique in order to prevent further injury. After this meet, he is questionable to compete in the discus the rest of the season.
“We are trying a new technique,” Venegas said. “A different start will keep tension off his leg and no extreme pain like the regular start.”
The rest of the team will be off this weekend and preparing for the West Regionals the following weekend, May 30-31, at Cal State Northridge.