UCLA track and field wins 11 events at invitational
By Alexander Hyun
Jan. 27, 2014 2:39 a.m.
The UCLA track and field team got off to a fast start this past weekend at the Northern Arizona University Invitational.
The months of preparation leading up to the season as well as the addition of new coaches seem to have paid off.
The team came away with eleven first place victories throughout the invitational. But even with these victories, the Bruins will continue to work and improve.
“We go into each meet with a brand new attitude because the competition is different and always changing,” said redshirt junior distance runner Kelsey Smith. “Competing is what we love to do the most so we get excited for every competition.”
Smith was awarded first place in the women’s one-mile event this past weekend with a finals time of 4:52:63. However, her focus is squared onto the next challenge.
“I go into every race thinking about the training and hard work, and so I’m always ready to compete whoever the competition is and put myself out there and do the best I can for the team,” Smith said.
Sophomore middle distance runner Nick Hartle attained first place in both the men’s 800-meter run and the men’s 1000m run. But Hartle isn’t taking anything for granted.
“At the end of the day there’s always going to be somebody that’s better than us. We always have to work as a team and as individuals in order to prepare ourselves to take down the competition,” Hartle said.
Compiled by Alexander Hyun, Bruin Sports contributor
