University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
Pac-10 Championships
Craddock, Johnson and Johnson Lead Bruin Men at Pac-10 Track & Field Championships
May 13, 2007 | Track & Field
May 13, 2007
Kevin Craddock, Brandon Johnson and Michael Johnson led the Bruins on Sunday at the Pac-10 Championships in Palo Alto as all three won their respective events. The Bruins finished fourth overall with 92 points, while Oregon won with 114 points. Last season, the Bruins placed fifth with 97.5 points
Kevin Craddock blazed his way to his first Pac-10 title on Sunday as the sophomore ran a huge lifetime-best of 13.48 to win. That mark moves him into the No. 2 spot in the NCAA this season and No. 3 all-time at UCLA. Craddock has struggled with injuries and illness all season long and finally broke free during today's race.
On battling injuries/illness this season: "I've been waiting a long time to get my injuries and sicknesses together, but by the Grace of God, I was able to come out today and win. My leg started to hurt over the seventh hurdle but I didn't let it hamper me because I knew I had it."
On running in front of his family (Craddock is from the Bay area): "It is big time. I couldn't wait to come here after getting defeated at USC. I was able to come back and get motivated the last two weeks of practice. Being in front of all my family and friends is huge and I'm so happy."
On his great start: "Usually I have problems over the first hurdle, but today I focused on getting out well and I knew that if I did that, I'd be good."
On the next two meets: "I feel like my season has just started because of all the problems I've had with injuries and illness, and as I see it, things are looking up."
Brandon Johnson, who missed last year's Pac-10 Championships because of a major hamstring injury, returned to champion form as he led from nearly start to finish to win his third 400m hurdles crown in a season-best time of 50.03.
On his race plan: "Everybody says that I go out to fast and then die, but I always go out that fast. The problem has been that I haven't had enough strength to finish the way I should because of my previous injuries. So my plan today was just to go out hard and maintain that lead."
On the rest of the season: "This helps me feel good and relaxed. There's no stress of wondering if I can compete, because now I know I can. I don't feel ready, but this shows me that I am ready to run at the national level."
Michael Johnson won his first conference title in the triple jump as he posted a mark of season-best mark of 51-4.25 to win (old best, 51-0.75).
On the win: "I'm happy I could win and give my team 10 points. I ended up not competing in the long jump and I knew I had to come out here and help the team. I'm not happy with the mark, but happy with the win."
100m - Brandon Smith picked up a point for the Bruins as he ran 10.77 to finish eighth overall.
200m - Stan Griffin placed seventh in a time of 21.47, while Brandon Smith was eighth, running 21.80.
400m - No entries.
800m - No entries.
1500m - No entries.
5000m - Mike Haddan was 19th (14:49.17) and Laef Barnes finished 26th (15:25.35). Henry Hagenbuch and Marlon Patterson did not finish the race. Austin Ramos did not run.
100m Hurdles - Kevin Craddock and Darius Reed went 1-2 in the high hurdles to give the Bruins 18 points as the duo each ran huge lifetime-bests. Craddock won in a time of 13.48 (old best, 13.73) and Reed was second in 13.88 (old best, 13.96)
400m Hurdles - Brandon Johnson easily ate up the stagger as he led for much of the race. Johnson crossed the finish line in a season-best 50.03 (No. 5 in the country) to win his third Pac-10 title.
4x100m - Brandon Smith, Elijah Wells, James Rhoades and Stan Griffin placed fifth, running 40.95.
4x400m - Elijah Wells, Brandon Johnson, Tracy Session and James Rhoades finished fifth in a time of 3:09.94.
High Jump - Joel Tuosto was 11th with a clearance of 6-6.75, while Dave Murphy placed fourth after clearing 6-4.75.
Triple Jump - Michael Johnson won his first Pac-10 title as he posted a mark of season-best mark fo 51-4.25 to win.
Hammer - Boldizsar Kocsor finished fourth with a mark of 214-6, while Andrew Ninow was sixth with a throw of 199-2
Javelin - Chris Burbach finished just outside of a scoring position as he placed ninth with a throw of 192-11.
Final Team Standings
1. Oregon, 114 points; 2. Arizona State, 111 points; 3. USC, 110 points; 4. UCLA, 92 points; 5. Arizona, 91 points; 6. Washington 89 points; 7. Washington State, 84 points; 8. Stanford, 72 points; 9. California, 56 points.
