Cross-country stuggles with shaky start
By Eric Johnson
Sept. 28, 2005 9:00 p.m.
The Bruin cross-country corps may just be a little shaky these
days, but if two standout runners have their way, UCLA will soon be
on top.
Standouts Austin Ramos and Ashley Caldwell continue to build
upon their early season success, most recently turning in
impressive performances at the Roy Griak Invitational in
Minnesota.
Ramos finished sixth in a field of 225 competitors with a time
of 24:21, while Caldwell was able to come in fourth out of 287
runners with a time of 21:05.
“Austin’s run today continues to affirm the level of
fitness and growing confidence Austin has in running with a lead
pack,” said coach Eric Peterson.
Peterson was also happy with Ashley Caldwell’s run, which
he considers to be the “run of her life.”
“She put herself in the front early and stayed there. She
made a move at the 4000m mark to take the lead, and although she
finished fourth, she showed the courage and aggressiveness we need
when competitng,” said Peterson.
Their respective teams, however, did not fare so well.
Second to Ramos for the men was Mike Hadden in 56th place, with
the women’s second place finisher for UCLA coming in at 43rd.
The inability of either team to follow up their number-one runners
with solid performances led to a 13th place finish for both
squads.
Still, Peterson is pleased with some of the things he saw last
Saturday.
“I’m very pleased with the leadership of both
teams,” Peterson said. “Ashley ran the same time in
Minnesota that she did earlier in the season on an easier
course.
“We need things like that from our more experienced
runners to take the pressure off of our younger runners.
“Austin ran a great race as well. He’s proving to
everyone that he is able to run at the level he indicated he would
early on this season. He is a very exciting athlete right
now.”
The main issue for both teams seems to be an overload of youth
and inexperience.
Both teams rely heavily upon both sophomores and freshmen, with
the second and third finishers for both the men and women being
sophomores.
“Our low position right now is related to the
inexperience,” Peterson said.
“We’re relying heavily upon these young athletes who
are very capable runners but as of yet haven’t been in enough
races at the college level.”
Now back home in Westwood, the Bruin cross-country corps will
regroup, establish their daily schedules, and train for
two-and-a-half weeks before their next race in Terra Haute, Indiana
at the Pre-NCAA Invitational.
“We lost an opportunity on Saturday to put ourselves in a
position to qualify for the NCAA’s,” Peterson said.
“We cannot do that again in Terra Haute.
“A high place finish will pay off for both
teams.”
