Track and field sends 11 Bruins to NCAA championships
At the NCAA West Regional this past weekend, junior high jumper Zibby Boyer’s mark of 1.77 meters qualified her for nationals, which begin on June 11. (Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin)
By Alexander Hyun
June 2, 2014 1:20 a.m.
The UCLA track and field team sent 27 athletes to the NCAA West Regional – only 11 qualified for nationals.
Although many veterans were able to qualify for nationals again, there were quite a few athletes who qualified for the first time.
Redshirt freshman javelin thrower Cody Danielson squeaked into nationals in the men’s javelin with a throw of 65.22 meters, placing him at No. 12 – the last spot to qualify.
“It’s been my goal all year, so I’m just excited to get this opportunity,” said Danielson. “Not a lot of people threw particularly well and I knew I could make it, so it would’ve been disappointing if I didn’t.”
Junior high jumper Zibby Boyer also qualified for nationals for the first time with a jump of 1.77m, which was tied for the best mark.
“I don’t feel like it’s real, to be honest. I’m beyond excited because it was obviously one of the biggest goals for me this year, and I’m glad I made it,” Boyer said. “It was a really long meet and my event was one of the last events to finish, so it was difficult as I hadn’t been in a meet like this before, but I followed my coach’s advice and it worked out.”
Some other notable qualifiers from the men’s side include sophomore distance runner Nick Hartle who found “redemption” and qualified with the fifth best score in the men’s 800m.
Redshirt sophomore shot putter Nicholas Scarvelis continued his impressive season by placing second in the men’s shot put to qualify for nationals for the first time.
From the women’s side, some of the team’s usual standouts qualified with impressive showings.
Junior hurdler Brea Buchanan and sophomore hurdler Trinity Wilson both qualified in the 100m hurdles, finishing ninth and seventh respectively.
Senior pole vaulter Natasha Kolbo also had an impressive showing by placing fifth in the women’s pole vault. There were eight athletes who had tied for the highest score, including Kolbo. This qualifier will also be her first nationals appearance.
Notable veterans redshirt senior discus thrower Julian Wruck and junior long jumper Kylie Price also qualified by placing second and ninth in their respective events.
“Overall, I think we had a good meet, especially in our field events,” said assistant coach Joanna Hayes. “Even though some players didn’t qualify despite recording personal bests, I would say that it was a good showing and it gives them something to strive for next year, especially when some of the athletes missed qualifier by only one or two spots.”
The Bruins will take the week to rest, as the qualifiers will compete starting June 11 in Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA finals.
