UCLA Sets the Tone on Friday Evening

The UCLA men's high jumpers sealed an exciting Friday for the Bruins.

UCLA Sets the Tone on Friday Evening

February 10, 2017 | Track & Field

The first day of the Don Kirby Invitational was highlighted by a school record performance from Rai Benjamin. The sophomore ran away with the victory with a personal best of 20.76 (20.83 converted in altitude). The old UCLA indoor record was a 20.99, posted by Michael Lipscomb in 2002. Junior Leon Powell was seventh at 21.52.

Senior Austin Hazel soared to a massive lifetime best in the long jump. On his final attempt, Hazel leaped 25-7.25 to place fifth overall. The jump ranks second all-time in UCLA indoor history.

The high jump crew impressed on Friday as well with Michael Burke leading the way. After clearing 7-3 in the first meet of the season, Burke leaped over 7-2.50 to win the event. Freshman Isaiah Holmes followed in second with a collegiate personal-best mark of 7-0.50 while senior Sage Stone was seventh at 6-10.75.

Moving on to day two in Albuquerque will be sophomore Suzie Acolatse while Angie Annelus just missed out in the 60m. Acolatse ran a 7.55 while Annelus posted a 7.59 with both winning their respective heats. Acolatse also clocked an impressive 200m with a time of 24.08. That time with the altitude conversion to 24.15 is a personal best.

In the women's 60m hurdles, sophomore Pattriana Perry won her heat and will advance with a time of 8.61.

A week after running his first career 800m, junior Joe Herrera clocked a 1:18.59 to place third in the 600m. Senior Jonny Moniz was 11th at 1:24.32.

The Bruins only had three competing on the first day of the Husky Classic, but the trio made it count. In the men's 5,000m, freshman George Gleason clocked the ninth fastest UCLA indoor time ever with a 14:17.42.

In the women's race, junior Roni Yamane followed suit with a personal best and a top-10 performance as well. Yamane ran a 17:11.66 to etch her name ninth on the UCLA all-time indoor list. In her first race as a Bruin, freshman Daniela LoCastro ran a 17:22.55. Yamane won her section while LoCastro placed fourth.

Saturday's events begin at 8:30 a.m. PT in Albuquerque and 11:55 a.m. in Seattle for the Bruins.