Track Brief

Bruins topple records large and small at UC San Diego
Open

A 16-year-old American women’s discus record fell at the
hands of Suzy Powell on Saturday. The former Bruin (1995-98) threw
227 feet, 10 inches at the UC San Diego Open, easily eclipsing
Carol Cady’s 1986 throw of 216-10.

Collegiate athletes from across the country and professional
athletes from around the world competed at the non-scoring meet.
UCLA could have benefitted from scoring competition, as several
Bruins, both male and female, placed at or near the top of their
events. Senior Tracy O’Hara won the women’s pole vault
with a mark of 14-3 1/4, a season outdoor best and NCAA
automatic-qualifying height. In the women’s 800-meter run,
junior Tiffany Burgess (2:06.30), sophomore Lena Nilsson (2:06.99),
and junior Jessica Marr (2:07.39) took the top three spots for UCLA
in a close event.

Three key personal records were set Saturday: senior C.J. Bell
in the men’s pole vault (17 5-3/4), freshman Carolyn Shea in
the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase (10:54.91, third-best in
school history), and sophomore Lara Saye in the women’s
discus (180-3, an automatic-qualifying mark for the NCAA
finals).

Other women’s event winners were freshman Alejandra
Barrientos in the 1500 meter run (4:35.22), and the 4×400-meter
relay team (3:48:22).

Freshmen Mario Bassani (47.97) and Robert Hambleton (48.55)
finished one-two in the 400-meter dash. Freshman Jonathan Williams
won the 110-meter hurdles at 14.79. Senior Andrew Wulf won the
3000-meter steeplechase (9:12.34) and the 4×400 meter relay team
(3:12.99) rounded out the winners on the men’s side.

Sophomore pole vaulter Yoo Kim was held out of competition, and
his status remains on hold for this Saturday’s meet against
USC at Drake Stadium.

Compiled by J.P. Hoornstra, Daily Bruin Senior Staff