All the effort UCLA’s Monique Henderson has exerted this season to put herself in position to capture her first NCAA title almost went to waste. With the crowd at the Spanos Sports Complex in Sacramento roaring as she neared the halfway point in her final collegiate race, Henderson felt a twinge in her left hamstring. […]
Author Archives: Jeff Eisenberg
W. track: Triple jumper exceeds expectations to capture title
In all the time UCLA’s Candice Baucham spent reflecting on the end of her collegiate career this weekend, she never envisioned a more perfect exit scenario than this. Baucham, a senior, became the first Bruin to capture the national title in the triple jump Saturday night in Sacramento, breaking the NCAA meet record on her […]
W. track: UCLA revels in second place finish
They mobbed each other on the infield, huddling together to form a blue and gold sea of jubilation. Jessica Cosby hoisted the trophy above her head. Monique Henderson and Candice Baucham raised their arms in celebration. And UCLA women’s track and field coach Jeanette Bolden led a victory cheer as if the Bruins had just […]
Education from experience trumps classroom learning
Less than one week before the final exam in my Zen Buddhism class winter quarter, I marched up to my professor, handed him a sheet of paper to sign, and told him I was dropping the class. “It’s ninth week,” he said. “You’re kidding me.” Of course I wasn’t. The final exam fell on the […]
W. track: First day of NCAAs a breeze
Almost everything went smoothly for the second-ranked UCLA women’s track and field team on the first day of the NCAA Championships on Wednesday. Monique Henderson and Dawn Harper advanced to the finals with ease in their respective events. Candice Baucham cruised into the finals of the long jump. And though senior Lara Saye failed to […]
M. track: Track aims for top 5 at Championships
A few weeks before the track and field season began, UCLA men’s coach Art Venegas declared that his goal for the year was a top-five finish at the NCAA Championships. For the Bruins to accomplish that goal this weekend in Sacramento, they will need to exceed even their own expectations. UCLA, ranked No. 15 in […]
W. track: UCLA pole vaulter puts adversity behind her as she prepares for championships
Everything UCLA’s Chelsea Johnson has endured so far this season will all be worth it if she can achieve her goals next week at the NCAA Championships. All the leg injuries. The months of rehab after she underwent surgery in September to repair ligament damage in her left knee. The near-disastrous sixth-place finish at the […]