UCLA
Jim Bush Legends Invitational
UCLA Secures 12 Event Wins at Jim Bush Collegiate Invite
March 30, 2019 | Track & Field
Los Angeles, Calif. โ The Bruins posted strong showings at the Jim Bush Collegiate Invitational at Drake Stadium Saturday, taking home 12 event victories, including two apiece from throwers Dotun Ogundeji and Alyssa Wilson.
The Bruins took the top four positions in the men's shot put competition, with the senior Ogundeji securing the victory with a heave of 19.68m (64-06.75). Sophomore Nate Esparza was the runner up with a throw of 19.50m (63-11.75). Freshman Otito Ogbonnia was spectacular in the ring, as he launched five throws of at least 60 feet and finished with a lifetime-best mark of 19.21m (63-00.25) for third place overall. Sophomore Jacob Wilson (17.75m, 58-03.00) took the fourth spot.
Ogundeji also won the men's discus later in the afternoon, putting up a mark of 54.93m (180-2).
Wilson and senior Ashlie Blake took the top two spots, respectively, in the women's shot put competition. Both Bruins launched season-best marks of 16.83m (55-02.75) to tie for the event lead, but Wilson's superior second-best throw gave her the victory over her teammate. Wilson continued to dominate in the women's discus, winning the event with a toss of 55.05m (180-7) on her final attempt. With her victory in the hammer throw on Friday evening, Wilson's discus win completed her sweep of the throws.
The Bruins bagged a 1-2 finish in the men's javelin, as junior Simon Litzell (65.10m, 213-7) and senior AK Turner (63.40m, 208-0) took the top two positions. Turner impressed with four throws of at least 200 feet, exceeding his previous personal-best mark of 202-8 on his second and sixth attempts.
The women's javelin saw sophomore Ilaria Casarotto take the victory with a season-best throw of 46.27m (151-9) on her second attempt. Freshman Lauren McFall finished in fifth place with a mark of 39.40m (129-03).
Sophomore Tate Curran took the victory in the men's pole vault, as he was the only competitor to clear 5.15m (16-10.75). Senior Michael Fancey was the runner-up with a lifetime-best clearance of 5.05m (16-06.75), while sophomore Kyle Brown finished in fourth place with a mark of 4.90m (16-00.75).
Senior Elleyse Garrett secured a lifetime-best mark in the women's pole vault, clearing 4.25m (13-11.25) for the runner-up position. Garrett's clearance was good for seventh place all-time in UCLA history.
Freshman Sean Lee led the way for the Bruins in the men's high jump, winning the event with a clearance of 2.12m (6-11.50). Senior Michael Burke took third place with a jump of 2.07m (6-09.50).
The Bruins picked up another 1-2 finish in the men's long jump. Junior-transfer Harrison Schrage won the competition with a leap of 7.41m (24-03.75) in his UCLA debut. Sophomore Matthew DeRoos posted a lifetime-best mark of 7.26m (23-10) to take second place.
UCLA's first track victory of the day was secured by Arturo Sotomayor in the men's 800m. The senior breezed to a time of 1:51.68, more than two seconds clear of his nearest competitor. The women's race saw freshman Gwyneth George post a career-best 2:10.12 for fourth place.
Senior Suzie Acolatse won the women's 200m for the Bruins with a time of 24.08, just five hundredths of a second away from her lifetime-best mark in the event. Schrage came back from his long jump victory to take third place in the men's 200m, clocking a time of 21.35. Freshman Seth Holloway finished in fifth at 21.49.
Holloway led the Bruin charge in the men's 100m, taking second collegiately with a time of 10.64. Darius Smith and Kenroy Higgins went 8-9 and finished at 10.84 and 10.88, respectively. The women's competition saw Acolatse finish in third place with a time of 11.73.
The women's 400m hurdle competition saw freshman Nyree Brown take fifth place overall, crossing the line with a career-best time of 1:01.69. Freshman Aidan Jackman toed the line for the Bruins in the men's race, taking third with a time of 53.50.
UCLA capped the Jim Bush Collegiate with a win in the men's 4x400m relay, as the senior foursome of Damion Marshall, Joe Herrera, Leon Powell, and Cameron Stone clocked a time of 3:09.53. The women's quartetโEsther Ekeanyanwu, Christina Chenault, Kyrah Johnson, and Dakota Stanlyโtook the runner-up spot with a time of 3:44.79.
The Bruins' next competition is back at Drake Stadium, as UCLA will host the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational on Saturday, April 13.
Players Mentioned
