When the women’s track and field team competes in the Tyson Invitational today and Saturday, there will be a lot to prove ““ to the coaches and to the nation.
The Tyson Invitational, held in Fayetteville, Ark., is one of the most elite indoor meets of the year. U.S. and international athletes from 88 schools and track clubs will participate, with the collegiate level competitors vying for a qualifying mark to get them into the NCAA championships.
“It’s a big meet. Almost every conference is represented,” coach Jeanette Bolden said. “Everyone wants to go there, like myself, to try to see how their teams fare against the rest of the conferences. Lots of NCAA qualifiers will be coming out of this meet.”
The Bruins will send a 15-person contingent, including pole vaulters, sprinters, long distance runners, jumpers and a 4x400m relay team.
With five athletes, the biggest group will be the pole vaulters, and they hope to continue their strong season.
“I’m looking to see my pole vaulters do well,” Bolden said. “I’m looking to see them compete as a unit.”
Two weeks ago at the Washington Invitational, junior Katy Viuf led the squad with a provisional mark of 13 feet, 1 3/4 inches in only her second meet as a Bruin.
Four other women have jumped 12-2 throughout the season, making the vaulters the most impressive group so far.
Freshman Tori Anthony, who made her UCLA debut two weeks ago in Washington, hopes to join her teammates with high marks.
“I expect to do better than two weeks ago,” Anthony said. “I have more confidence with two weeks of training under my belt.”
With only a few more big meets before NCAA Championships, the pole vaulters hope to be able to send some athletes to Nationals in March.
“All of us are ready to prove ourselves,” Anthony said. “We can all score. We can all jump high. We need to show everyone that’s true.”
Another squad to watch for will be the sprints and hurdles, who have something to show after being pulled from Tyson last year because Bolden felt they were not ready.
“Most definitely we have something to prove,” junior All-American Krystin Lacy said. “We had some injuries last year, so it was hard to practice. Everyone has been looking good this year, and we expect to do well.”
Lacy will run in the 400m and in the 4x400m relay, which will be competing for the first time this year. Also running will be junior Nicole Leach and freshmen Joy Eaton and Ashley McLaughlin.
The small group of athletes going might make it hard for the team to climb back into the national rankings after beginning the year ranked No. 14. Aside from the small groups competing this season, the Bruins have rested many top athletes for the outdoor season.
However, with a strong field of competition, the main focus will be having individuals qualify for nationals.
“This weekend I’m not looking to see team results, since there aren’t enough of us competing,” Bolden said. “I’m looking forward to see how individuals fare well.”
The training has picked up for the team with their usual big push during the second half of the season. The NCAA Championships are getting closer, and this could potentially be a big weekend for UCLA track and field if there are good marks and athletes going to nationals.
“We have faith in the coaching staff,” Lacy said. “What we practice gets us prepared. There is no pressure to do well. But we know we have to.”