April 4, 2009
Sophomore Taylor Hobson had a career day in the jumps on Saturday to lead the Bruin men at the 2009 UCLA Invitational as he won the long jump and posted two lifetime-best marks.
Hobson came into the meet with previous lifetime-bests of 43-10 in the triple and 23-9.50 in the long jump and surpassed those marks on Saturday in impressive fashion. Hobson first won the long jump with a regional mark of 24-4.50 and then upped his triple jump mark to 45-11. He is now qualified for the West Region Championships in the high and long jump.
Sophomore Johnny Quinn improved upon his regional mark in the pole vault as he cleared a season-high 17-1 to win the event.
Also posting wins during the meet were Scott Crawford in the 800m (season-best, 1:51.33), Jake Matthews in the steeple (regional qualifer, 9:02.42), Brian Law in the 400m hurdles (54.33) and Andreas Drbal in the javelin (188-8)
The 4x100m relay team of Stan Griffin, Karlton Rolle, Jamal Alston and Brandon Smith finished second with a regional and seasonal best mark of 40.49.
Thomas Nagengast threw a lifetime-best and improved regional qualifier of 172-7 in the discus, finishing second overall.
Greg Garza and John Caulfield, 2008 graduates, opened up their outdoor season at the meet as Caulfield won the shot put (58-10.25) and Garza won the discus (186-1).
The Bruins will next host the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational April 9-11 for the final home meet of the year.