NEW YORK, N.Y. – The UCLA track team closed out opening weekend with six event titles on Saturday at the Columbia East/West Challenge, held at the Armory Track Complex.
The Bruins continued the strong trend in the field events. The high jump was a highlight for both the men and women for UCLA. In his first collegiate indoor meet, Michael Burke cleared the best mark in UCLA indoor history with a height of 7-3. The personal best clearance is tied with the great Dwight Stones for fifth on the all-time list. Senior Cody Crampton followed in second with a mark of 6-10.75.
In the women's high jump, newcomer Mikella Lefebvre-Oatis won her first collegiate meet with a mark of 5-8.75. Sophomore Lillianna Hebert was the runner-up at 5-7.
The shot put also showcased a double victory for the Bruins. Sophomore Dotun Ogundeji breezed to the individual title with a throw of 59-11.75. Senior Torie Owers posted a season-opening throw of 51-8.25. Sophomore Ashley Blake followed in second at 51-7.75. Owers also placed fifth in the weight throw with a mark of 54-2.75.
In the pole vault, sophomore Greta Wagner opened with a very impressive mark of 13-7.25 to win the event. Junior Elleyse Garrett followed in second at 12-3.50.
Also in the field events, senior Austin Hazel was second in the long jump with a leap of 24-8.25. Junior Jessie Maduka was third in the women's long jump with a mark of 19-5.25. In the triple jump, freshman Tobia Bocchi was third at 50-4.50.
On the track, sophomore Arturo Sotomayor dipped under the 1:50 mark for the first time in his career, winning the 800m with a personal best time of 1:49.60.
Junior Joe Herrera clocked an indoor personal best time of 47.32 to finish second overall. The time is the fifth fastest in UCLA indoor history.
UCLA posted solid times across the board in the 200m. Sophomore Rai Benjamin led the charge on his familiar oval with a time of 21.04. The time equals the second best indoor lap in UCLA indoor history. Herrera followed in fifth at 21.70, and junior Leon Powell was sixth at 21.78. Sophomore Angie Annelus was sixth in the highly contested women's race with a time of 24.31.
In the men's mile, Tyler Janes was seventh with a time of 4:07.81. The women's 4x400m relay capped off the meet with a time of 3:47.82 to finish fourth overall.
UCLA will return to the track when the Bruins travel to College Station, Texas for the Charlie Thomas Invitational at Texas A&M on Feb. 3-4.