Men’s track and field to compete at Pac-10 Multi-Event Championships and Oxy Invitational
Sophomore decathlete Trent Perez competes during the pole vault on April 9. Perez will compete in the Pac-10 Championships at UC Berkeley this weekend.
By Derek Groom
May 6, 2010 9:47 p.m.
As the postseason begins this weekend, sophomore Trent Perez looks to score points for the Bruins at the Pac-10 Multi-Event Championships at UC Berkeley while several Bruins will compete at the Oxy Invitational at Occidental College in Eagle Rock.
Perez will be competing in the decathlon, in which he currently ranks No. 7 in the Pac-10 with his total of 6586 points. He achieved that mark at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational earlier this season, where he placed second. Last year at the Pac-10 Multi-Event Championships, Perez finished seventh, so he will look to improve on that finish this weekend.
Because the decathlon is the only men’s event this weekend at the Pac-10 Multi-Event Championships, Perez will aim to get the Bruins off to a strong start in the overall conference meet with a solid performance. The continuation of the Pac-10 Championships will be held on May 15 and 16 in Berkeley.
While most of the team will rest for the upcoming Pac-10 Championships, several pole vaulters, jumpers and runners will prepare by competing this Saturday at the Occidental meet.
Headlining that group is junior Cory Primm in the 800 meter, in which he ran a blistering 1:47.56 last weekend against USC. Primm is currently third in the Pac-10 and fifth in the NCAA.
At the Oxy Invitational, Primm can refine his form before running against some tough competition at the Pac-10 Championships. Oregon’s Andrew Wheating, who competed in the 2008 Olympic trials, currently holds the sixth fastest time in the NCAA in the 800 meter with a 1:47.71, presenting a formidable challenge for Primm.
USC will field Blake Shaw, who might have some extra motivation this weekend after placing second behind Primm in Saturday’s dual meet. Primm, however, has remained consistent the entire season, and the race this weekend only gives him another chance to hone his skills before the season’s most important meets.
Compiled by Derek Groom, Bruin Sports contributor.
