Two Bruin Track and Field Athletes Qualify for NCAA Championships

Fayetteville, Ark. – The UCLA track and field team will send two individual athletes to compete in Eugene for the NCAA Championships from June 8-11, as the 400m duo of Ismail Turner and Cameron Reynolds both earned personal best marks in the quarterfinals of the NCAA West Prelims in Arkansas on Friday.

A Bruin head-to-head matchup came in the 400m with juniors Turner and Reynolds running in the same heat. Turner ran another personal best in the 400m, earning not only a spot at the Championships but also the eighth-fastest time in program history (45.06). Once again, Turner placed third overall in the event and second in his heat, with Reynolds coming in third, crossing the finish line one-hundredth of a second behind Turner. Reynolds also secured an automatic bid to Eugene, placing third in the heat and fourth overall (45.07, No. 9 on UCLA's all-time list). 

The duo also ran the first two legs of the 4x100m relay, which was anchored by Christion Moore and Seth Holloway. The team came in fourth in their heat and 12th overall with a time of 39.55, just barely missing the mark to compete in the Championship. Turner and Reynolds also anchored the 4x400 relay, which was disqualified for a lane violation. 

UCLA was represented in the 3000m Steeplechase by three athletes, junior Peter Herold, senior Munir Kabbara, and redshirt junior Darius Riley. The trio came in 29th (8:59.67), 36th (9:03.10), and 45th (9:14.98) respectively. 

The men's field events were rounded out with appearances from freshman Ugonna Ikejiofor, sophomore Aiden Elbettar, and senior Sean Lee. Ikejiofar and Elbettar both competed in the discus, with Ikejiofor placing 31st overall with a throw of 52.25m / 175-05. Elbettar did not record a clean throw. Lee competed in the high jump and came in 39th overall (5.05m / 6-08.75). 

Competition continues tomorrow where UCLA Track and Field will have the opportunity to send eight more athletes to the Championships. Five athletes will be competing in individual events starting at 11:00am CT, with Natalie Ramirez and Lyvante Su'Emai in discus, Emma Tavella in the 3000m steeplechase at 3:40pm, followed by Shae Anderson in the 400m at 4:50p. The individual competition will be rounded out by Makenzy Pierre-Webster in the 200m at 5:50p. Both UCLA Women's 4x100m (3:00p) and 4x400m (6:45p) are set to compete on Saturday.