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Despite its fallen star, m. track shines

By Daily Bruin Staff

April 10, 1996 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 11, 1996

Injuries to key sprinters only a minor pitfall in team’s road to
success

By Emmanuelle Ejercito

Daily Bruin Staff

Despite the fact that star sprinter Ato Boldon has yet to
compete this season, the UCLA men’s track team has still managed to
succeed.

Boldon has suffered tightness in his injured hamstring
throughout the season, and just for precaution UCLA sprints coach
John Smith kept him out of meets.

"I decided to hold him back," Smith said, "because with an
athlete that explosive … you usually try to be real careful."

But Boldon’s hamstring is not the only factor preventing him
from running. The top Bruin in the 100- and 200-meters is not
completely clear academically. After transferring from San Jose
City College before last season, he is still waiting for some
grades and units to come in.

"A lot of times when you transfer there are certain grades that
are transferable and some that are not," Smith said. "So that’s
what he’s waiting for. He has some classes that need to be graded,
but he should be fine."

Boldon is the NCAA champion in the 200. His time of 20.08 in
that event at the Pacific 10 championships last year was the second
fastest time in the world in 1995. Only world-class sprinter
Michael Johnson recorded a faster time (19.79).

Last year, Boldon proved his ability on the world stage at the
World Championships in Goteborg, Sweden when he finished third in
the 100 with a 10.03 mark.

Although being out of competition this season has had an effect
on his running, the coaches are not too concerned about Boldon’s
capability to return to top form in time for the championship
meets.

"It is interesting because this is the first week he competed
for the school last year," Smith said. "So, there’s nothing unusual
about this season based on last season."

UCLA should find out if Boldon will be available to compete for
this weekend’s meet by the end of the week.

* * *

At the Texas Relays last weekend, sprinter Ibrahim Hassan had to
pull out of the finals of the sprint medley relay due to a cramp in
his hip flexor. Luckily for the Bruins, the injury was relatively
minor and Hassan was back on the track on Monday.

"He had two days to rest and let his leg heal up," Smith said.
"But it wasn’t really that bad. It is just when you have an athlete
go from 85-degree weather to wind chill factors of 19 degrees,
you’re going to have a problem."

Although Hassan, who usually runs in both the 200 and 400, will
run in the meet this Saturday, he will only run in the 200 just to
be safe.

UCLA Sports Info

Sprinter Ato Boldon has yet to compete this season for UCLA, but
he may be back on the track this weekend.

… Boldon’s hamstring is not the only factor preventing him
from running.

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