June 6, 2007

Sacramento, CA - Greg Garza, Mike Landers, Austin Ramos and Jason Rider all advanced to the finals in their respective events to lead the No. 10 Bruin men on day one of the NCAA Track & Field Championships.

Garza advanced to the finals in the discus after placing sixth overall with a toss of 193-11. Jason Rider joins him in the final as he finished in the 12th and final spot with a throw of 184-7. Darius Savage just missed a spot in the discus final after finishing 13th with a throw of 184-5. John Caulfield finished 25th. The discus final will be held on Friday evening as all of the top-three discus throwers in the country advanced to the finals.

Landers advanced to the finals in the pole vault after clearing 16-10.75 on his first and only attempt of the competition. He will compete in the finals on Friday evening.

Ramos had a strong run in the 5000m, finishing third in heat one and sixth overall in a time of 14:30.96 to automatically advance to the finals on Friday. It was the first time since 1998 that a Bruin was competing at the NCAA Championships in the 5000m. Ramos becomes the first UCLA man since Meb Keflezighi to not only compete in the 5000m, but advance to the finals.

In the high hurdles, Darius Reed finished 22nd overall and seventh in his heat in a time of 14.06.

Tomorrow, competition continues with Brandon Johnson in the first round of the 400m hurdles. Caulfield will also compete in the shot put qualifying rounds.