University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA to Send 18 Track and Field Athletes to World University Games
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA track & field team will send the largest group of athletes and staff to the World University Games. The Bruins will be represented by 18 athletes and two coaches at the two week event in Gwangju, South Korea.
UCLA associate head coach Jack Hoyt will serve as the head coach for Team USA and he will be joined by distance coach Forest Braden.
"I am excited to be leading Team USA into the World University Games,” Hoyt said. “It speaks highly of our great tradition, that UCLA Track and Field was asked to field the core group of athletes for Team USA. In addition to the Bruin athletes, we have selected a very competitive group from around the country. I am very optimistic that we will be bringing home our share of the medals!"
The Bruins will send 12 from the men’s team and six from the women’s squad. NCAA national meet qualifiers Derek Eager, Alec Faldermeyer, Nick Hartle and Steele Wasik will be joined by NCAA regional qualifiers Idrees Bernard, Cody Crampton, Braheme Days, Joe Herrera, Austin O’Neil, Leon Powell and Mark Sakioka. All-American Mike Woepse will also return to compete for Team USA.
NCAA national meet qualifiers Zibby Boyer and Tatum Souza will be joined by NCAA regional qualifiers Alexis Walker and Zaybree Haury. All-American Kylie Price will also represent the Bruins as will decorated freshman Ashlie Blake.
"It's great to be sharing this amazing experience with our young and talented freshman class,” Hoyt added. “Traveling overseas and living in the athlete village with the best university students from around the world will be pivotal to our teams future success."
The track portion of the World University Games will take place on July 8 – July 12. The opening ceremonies will be held on July 3 at World Cup Stadium. ESPNU/ESPN3 will carry a lot of the action in South Korea.
Follow all the action for the Team USA track & field team on twitter @WUGUSATrack.