University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Second Day of Competition in the Books at World University Games
GWANGJU, South Korea - It was another eventful and exciting day in Gwangju at the World University Games as the WUG US Track and Field Team comprised of numerous UCLA athletes completed their second day of competition.
Once again Steele Wasik kicked things off on the track as he continued and completed his decathlon. Steele started things off with a time of 14.62 in the 110m hurdles and then won his section of the discus with a throw of 131-2 (40.00m). He made it over 13-5.25 4.10m in the pole vault and finished sixth overall with 7,414 points.
“This is by far the coolest thing I have been a part of and the thing I really liked about this was the support,” Wasik said. “It doesn’t matter what country you are from, you have thousands of fans in the stands cheering you on and the other guys are really supportive. They understand we are all in this together, and are going to be great friends afterwards and that’s how it is.”
Only other field event competitors during the morning session were Mike Woepse and Mark Sakioka, both in the men’s pole vault. Woepse made it over the qualifying mark of 17-4.50 (5.30m) and will compete again on Saturday during the morning session. Sakioka continued to have his late season injury linger and was unable to advance.
On the track during the morning session, races focused on sprints as Leon Powell made it out of round 1 to race again in the afternoon session and again sprinted his way to the semi-final round of the men’s 200m. Powell ran 21.24 and 21.20 in his two rounds, respectively.
The afternoon session of competition was full of action as several finals and qualifying rounds in both field and track events took place. Leading things off was Alec Faldermeyer in the men’s hammer throw who threw a best mark of 205-9 (62.73m) and placed 15th overall.
Kylie Price capped off her long jump at World Cup Stadium with a leap of 20-7.25 (6.28m) to finish the competition eighth overall.
Day 3 brings even more action as we start the women’s heptathlon at 9 a.m. local time followed by a few other morning session events. The afternoon session won’t start until later in the evening around 5 p.m. local time.