Men’s Track Notebook

What rivalry?

In one of the greatest dual meets in collegiate track and field
history, the UCLA men’s track and field squad managed to
extend their winning streak over crosstown rival USC to 22 with a
88-75 come-from-behind victory last Saturday.

Trailing 71-60 with only the 200 meters, 5000 meters, discus and
1600-meter relay left, the Bruins upset the heavily-favored Trojan
sprinters by going 1-2 in the 200.

Damian Allen’s 20.97 and Bryan Harrison’s 20.98
moved them to the top of the Pac-10 charts. UCLA then swept the
5,000 meters, went 1-3 in the discus and won the relay after USC
was disqualified for taunting.

Despite winning in the 67th meeting between the two schools,
UCLA still trails the Trojans in the series, 38-29. With the dual
meet victory, the Bruins moved up to 18th in the latest Trackwire
polls.

UCLA will competes next in the Modesto Invitational and then the
Pac-10 championships in Eugene, Ore.

Just a bit faster

NCAA Indoor champion Jess Strutzel has the top mark in the
nation in the 800 meters. His 1:46.57 mark was indoors, however,
and the senior needs to still run 1:47.20 outdoors to qualify for
the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

The school record holder in the event, Strutzel has only run
1:49.44 this year. But no reason to fear: Strutzel is entered in
the 800 meters at the Modesto Invitational this weekend and Pac-10
Championships next week.

Invincible

Former head coach Bob Larsen’s illustrious career can be
judged by one record alone: 16-0. That’s the record the
current distance coach has against USC after last weekend.

“I’ve been blessed with hardworking
student-athletes,” said Larsen, a four-time National Coach of
the Year.

Leading the Pac

Along with Strutzel, Harrison, and Allen, UCLA possesses many
other athletes in the top-10 in conference action.

Pole vaulter Brian McLaughlin has cleared an NCAA provisional
mark of 18 1/2 inches at the NCAA Indoors, where he placed fourth
overall. The senior’s clearance ranks him third in the
Pac-10. Fellow vaulter Steve Michels is tied for sixth in
conference with a 17-4 1/2 clearance.

400-meter hurdler John Hall has also provisionally qualified for
the NCAAs with his 50.78 clocking. The junior ranks third in the
Pac-10 while teammates Kyle Erickson and John Barbieri have also
qualified for the conference championships.

Discus thrower Scott Moser has nearly assured himself of a spot
with a 196-1 mark. Moser ranks in the top-three in the Pac-10.

Notes compiled by Moin Salahuddin, Daily Bruin Staff.