Time is rarely an ally in life.

Moments pass – whether they are seized or not – and opportunities are often defined by how quickly they are met. What separates progress from regret is the ability to act decisively when a window opens.

Time defines everything in track and field – the blink of a stopwatch can be the difference between winning an event or falling short. Each race demands precision in moments that pass almost as quickly as they arrive. UCLA track and field embraced that reality at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday and Saturday, turning execution into four event wins, eight medals and standout performances throughout the meet.

That pressure was felt in the 60-meter hurdles, where fractions of a second decided the outcome. Competing in just her second meet of the season, graduate student Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck clocked an 8.10 in the preliminary round, narrowly edging out sophomore teammate Celeste Polzonetti, who finished with a time of 8.14. Ndjip-Nyemeck continued to improve through each round, winning her semifinal in 8.03 before finishing first in the finals with an 8.00 mark to secure the event title and remain undefeated in the event this season.

The Bruins coaching staff emphasize the importance of racing for improvement and competition rather than chasing times. Track and field director Joanna Hayes said performances like Ndjip-Nyemeck’s reflect this competitive emphasis.

“The numbers come when you compete and when you try to win,” Hayes said. “So the goal should be to always be the best version of yourself and try to win something, try to beat somebody, be competitive, and the rest will take care of itself.”

Middle-distance success followed as sophomore Marie Warneke opened her indoor season by winning the 800-meter run, building off her All-American outdoor campaign in 2025. Senior Tamaal Myers earned a podium finish with a third-place showing in the 600-meter run. The women’s 4×400-meter relay, comprised of sophomore Kayla McBride, junior Taylor Snaer, junior Ava Simms and senior Naomi Johnson, earned a second-place finish.

Michael Pinckney set the tone on the field in the men’s weight throw. The senior claimed his fourth consecutive win over the weekend, extending his undefeated streak and reinforcing his consistency as one of UCLA’s more reliable point scorers.

“Coming into UCLA, knowing that there was a big coaching shift, I expected there to be more faults,” Snaer said. “But coming in last year, everyone had the mindset to win. That was exactly coach Hayes’ mindset as well. Now we’re building off of that and we’re gaining more people that want to do the exact same thing as we do.”

That mindset has also fostered leadership, as veteran athletes like Snaer have continued to set the standard. UCLA’s early-season success has reflected not only depth, but trust in preparation under pressure.

For Ndjip-Nyemeck, that trust has been built through experience, shaping her approach to competition and her role within the team. Confidence in the process has allowed her to prioritize execution more than numbers.

“I’m trying to do my part in helping (my teammates) be the best versions of themselves. I want to be a person my team can rely on,” Ndjip-Nyemeck said. “I’ve had a lot of different experiences in these last years to help me grow and turn me into the athlete that I am today. It gives me the confidence to go out there and execute and trust the process. It helps me dominate.”

The Bruins’ competitive fortitude will be tested again at the Tyson Invite in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the Husky Invite in Seattle on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, respectively.