NCAA

UCLA Track and Field Opens Outdoor Season with Strong Showing at Ben Brown Invite

UCLA Track and Field Opens Outdoor Season with Strong Showing at Ben Brown Invite


Fullerton, Calif. – UCLA competed in the Ben Brown Invitational hosted by Cal State Fullerton on March 10-11. The Bruins had strong finishes, particularly in the field events, after the distance team opted out of Friday’s events due to inclement weather.  
 
Women’s Results
 
UCLA Track and Field competed in six events in the Ben Brown Invite on the women’s side and earned six top-five finishes in the meet.
 
The Bruins shined in the pole vault competition; Ka’Leila Abrille placed second in the pole vault by clearing 4.05m (13-03.50) on her second attempt at that height. Mia Cervantes (3.90m, 12-09.50) finished right behind her Bruin teammate and placed third. Katerina Adamiec placed seventh in the event, clearing 3.75m (12-03.50).
 
The throwers showed up ready to compete at the Fullerton meet. Lyvante Su’emai placed second in the discus throw, finishing with a mark of 52.28m (171-06.00). Natalie Ramirez was fourth in the event, throwing 47.98m (157-05.00). Lydia Liu was the final Bruin in competition, and she finished seventh with a throw of 47.30m (155-02.00).
 
Amber Jackson led the way for the Bruin jumpers at the invite. The sophomore placed third in the high jump, clearing 1.66m (5-05.25) on her final attempt.
 
Sophia Hartwell was fourth in triple jump with her 11.93m (39-01.75). Jade McDonald placed seventh in the event (11.80m, 38-08.75).
 
Sonia Virk was the sole runner in competition for UCLA, finishing sixth in the 400m hurdles after crossing in 1:03.11.
 
Men’s Results
 
Yan Vazquez had a strong finish for the Bruin hurdlers; the freshman placed second in 400m hurdles after running a 52.35.
 
The UCLA throwers showed out in full force at Ben Brown, claiming four of the top six spots in the discus event. Aidan Elbettar was the Bruins’ top finisher, placing second with a 58.51m throw (191-11.00). Michael Pinckney earned third place with his 55.56m (182-03.00). Gabriel Katches (54.20m, 177-10.00) and Ugonna Ikejiofor (53.52m, 175-07.00) placed fifth and sixth, respectively.
 
Pinckney stepped up again in the hammer throw and placed third with a throw of 62.25m (204-03.00). Kris Emig was right behind him, placing fourth in the event after throwing 61.59m (202-01.00).
 
Hunter O’Brien cleared 4.80m (15-09.00) in the pole vault event, placing seventh in the meet.

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