Track and field aims for improvement at MPSF Indoor championship

The UCLA track and field team continues its season run with an invite to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Indoor Championships this weekend after taking the previous week off to rest and train.

The team is primed to continue its contention for national qualifiers; however, the Bruins must put their best foot forward starting Friday.

Despite some strong performances at the Husky Classic and Don Kirby Elite Invitational two weeks ago, the Bruins were not as sharp as they had been earlier in the season. Some of the team’s top performers such as redshirt junior runner Kelsey Smith, freshman jumper Caroline Gyllenbern and sophomore runner Nick Hartle have seen better weeks with all three failing to reach the top five in their respective events.

Overall, the Bruins only had seven top-three finishes and only one first-place finish courtesy of senior thrower Ida Storm.

But the season moves on and with a week of rest, the team is looking forward to this week’s championship.

“The overall theme of the team has been about getting incrementally better. Every time we step on the track, we want to make sure we perform better than we did before,” said women’s coach John Henry Johnson.

One such individual who’s looking to solidify his mark is junior runner Pete Lauderdale. Despite suffering a foot fracture, derailing his fall training and readiness to compete, Lauderdale has caught Johnson’s eye and is helping the men’s team improve.

“I’ve been impressed with his running and work ethic over the past few weeks. He’s tough and he’s been coming on strong these past three to four weeks,” Johnson said.

Despite the theme being centered on improved performance and consistency, UCLA still relishes in the opportunity to play in a championship event.

“It’s a big deal, and it’s an honor to compete for your team at conference. There’s a different vibe and enthusiasm at practice where everyone is buckling down and getting ready for the challenge,” said senior heptathlete Tatum Souza.

Souza is currently ranked No. 29 and will be one of many athletes looking to improve their marks this weekend.

“My score is nowhere near where it usually is at this time of year but the team and I just have to believe and go into a big meet like this as just another meet and have fun with it,” Souza said.

This weekend’s MPSF Indoor championship will serve as the Bruin’s biggest test yet as the championship vibe will test the team’s mentality. With national qualifying marks at stake, the team must take advantage of every opportunity left in the season.

“I take (the indoor championship) very seriously, and I know the people who compete in indoor events take it seriously as well because they want to go nationals,” Lauderdale said. “We’re ready and be prepared for a show.”