UCLA
Occidental Invitational
Bruins Wrap Up Oxy and Pac-12 Multis
May 09, 2016 | Track & Field
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA track and field team posted numerous personal bests in two different locations this weekend. Sophomore Zack Bornstein paced the Bruins at the Pac-12 multi championships in Seattle while the distance squad looked to be in postseason form in the last regular season meet of the year at the Oxy Invitational.
At the multis Bornstein earned points by placing fifth overall with a lifetime best score of 7,289 points in the decathlon. Sophomore Kendall Gustafson placed 11th despite having to pull out of the 800m due to injury while freshman Dominque Beltrez was 13th in her first ever heptathlon.
At the Oxy Invitational freshman Carolina Johnson shined in her 1,500m collegiate debut as she finished second overall and first against collegiate competition with a personal best time of 4:21.78. The newcomer was second to former Bruin distance ace Kelsey Smith, who clocked a 4:19.36. Senior Aliya Shirif was 17th at 4:34.47 and was closely followed by freshman Taylor Taite in 19th at 4:35.51.
In the men's competition Ferdinand Edman handled the collegiate field with a time of 3:44.72. Freshman George Gleason was 21st overall at 3:49.34. In the 5,000m sophomore Daniel De La Torre was ninth overall with a personal best time of 14:04.70. Sophomore Richard Ho was 42nd at 14:47.83 while freshman Jackson Marshall followed in 44th at 14:50.17.
In the 400m hurdles senior Andre Chapman recorded his second 52-second race by clocking a season best 52.52 to finish seventh overall. Senior Jarrett Gonzales was 12th with a time of 53.55.
In the men's steeple freshman Cole Smith posted a big personal best time of 9:09.01 to place 12th overall while Junior Max Davis was 22nd with a time of 9:22.02. Running unattached this outdoor season, indoor All-American Austin O'Neil posted a blazing 8:47.60 in his first ever steeple race. That time would rank ninth all-time at UCLA.
In the lone field event for the Bruins Kai Wong launched a personal best of 54-1.75 to place eighth overall.
Next weekend the UCLA will continue at the Pac-12 Championships on Saturday, May 14 through Sunday May 15 back at the Husky Track.
Players Mentioned
