Bruins Secure Eight Event Victories at Cougar Classic Open

Spokane, Wash. – UCLA Track & Field opened its 2022 indoor campaign with eight event victories at the Cougar Classic Open, posting strong performances up and down the lineup.
 
Jumps / Hurdles / Pole Vault
Nura Muhammad made a statement in her first meet as a Bruin, as the grad transfer cleared 12.45m (40-10.25) in the triple jump to break the Podium facility record and earn the victory in the event. Muhammad's mark was also good for the No. 8 spot in UCLA's all-time indoor ranks. Hawa Kamara was fourth in the competition with a mark of 11.03m (36-02.25).
 
The Bruin women went 1-2 in the high jump competition, with Isa Videler (1.65m, 5-05.00) and Amber Jackson (1.60m, 5-03.00) earning the top two spots. Sydney Johnson also cleared 1.60m (5-03.00) in her first collegiate meet, but finished sixth on attempts. Aiden Lieb took the win in the men's long jump, clearing 6.69m (21-11.50) for the victory.
 
Johnson went on to finish second overall in the women's 60m hurdles, clocking a time of 8.90 on the day. The Bruin trio of Jai Gruenwald (8.94), Sonia Virk (9.01), and Videler (9.02) secured the 3-4-5 spots behind Johnson. Liam Anderson was second in the men's competition with a time of 8.25, with Josh Bailey close behind in fifth with a time of 8.55.
 
Tate Curran notched a win in his season debut in the pole vault, clearing 4.90m (16-00.75) on his first attempt at the height.
 
Distance
Alyssa Bautista and Kate Tugman toed the line for the Bruins in the women's 3000m competition, going 1-2 with times of 10:06.87 and 10:08.30, respectively. The pair cleared their next-closest challenger by over 30 seconds. Patrick Curulla was fourth in the men's competition in his first collegiate track race, finishing with a time of 8:30.00.
 
Sprints
Dakota Stanly earned a win in the open women's 400m, clocking a time of 58.64 in her season debut. Alex Enos was 11th in the men's competition with a time of 52.09, his first collegiate 400m race.
 
Relays
The Bruin men and women swept the 4x400m relay competitions on Friday afternoon. The UCLA men's quartet of Myles Misener-Daley, Zaylon Thomas, Bailey, and Liam Anderson went 3:18.64 for the win, ducking under the previous Podium facility record of 3:20.14. The women's 'A' squad also emerged victorious, as Kyrah Johnson, Maddy Doane, Jai Gruenwald, and Isa Videler clocked a time of 3:55.66 for the win.
 
Cougar Classic Invitational (Jan. 15)
The Cougar Classic continues on Saturday with the invitational track and field slates. The meet program kicks off with the women's weight throw competition at 10:00am PT. The first event on the track is the women's 60m hurdle prelims at 12:00 p.m. PT.