The UCLA and USC men and women’s dual meet that took place last Sunday proved that both schools are ready for the tough competition in the Pac-12 and NCAA championships.
The Pac-12 meet starts Saturday and Sunday and continues the following weekend on May 14 and 15 in Seattle. The NCAA meet will start with the west regionals in Lawrence, Kansas on May 26, 27 and 28 and finish with the finals in Eugene, Oregon on June 8-11.
The men’s and women’s team from both schools hope to be at the top of the standings at the end of the Pac-12 and NCAA meets. Their recent performances have proven that they can compete with the best track and field athletes in their league and in the nation.
Last Sunday at Drake Stadium on the UCLA campus the UCLA men beat USC and the USC women out dueled the lady Bruins in their annual dual meet.
There were several outstanding performances but multi-sport star Adoree’ Jackson of USC was the star of the meet. He won the 100 meters in a personal best of 10.38, captured the long jump with a mark of 25-4, placed second in the 200 meters in 21.08 and anchored the winning 400 meter relay team in a time of 39.98.
Jackson, who is also one of the best football players in the nation, was not totally satisfied with his performance on the track. “It feels good but I wish I could have done better in the long jump,” said Jackson. “I am happy with my 100 meter time but I hope that will carry over to the long jump.” Jackson is hoping to make the Olympic team this summer in the long jump.
In the 100 meters against UCLA he started out in the middle of the pack but ran away from his competition in the last 20 meters. “We always work on our finishes in practice,” said Jackson. “Running a lot of events helps my conditioning.”
Tynia Gaither of USC also turned in some outstanding times against UCLA in the women’s division. Gaither won the 100 and 200 meters and anchored the winning 400 meter relay team. She won the 100 in 11.21 and the 200 in 22.74.
UCLA men’s high hurdle specialist, freshman Misana Viltz whose dad played football and ran track for USC, clocked a personal best of 13.92 to win the 110 meter hurdles. He thinks the Bruins are ready to challenge the rest of the Pac-12.
“We want to win the Pac-12 and we have the people to do that.”
The UCLA baseball team that is currently 21-21 overall and 10-11 in the Pac-12 conference, will host UC Irvine on Friday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Next week the Bruins host USC on May 13 at 7 p.m., May 14 at 7 p.m. and May 15 at 6 p.m.
The USC baseball team, which is currently 20-22 overall and 9-8 in the Pac-12, will battle Washington at home starting tonight (Friday) at 6 p.m. They finish the home stand against Washington on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
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