UCLA will welcome a few schools and some open athletes as they honor two of the greatest ever in Rafer Johnson and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Johnson was a student body president and won Silver (1956) and Gold (1960) Olympics. JJK was a multi-sport athlete but more known for his history on the track, first winning a silver at the ’84 Games in the Heptathlon, then winning Golds and the next two Olympics in the same event. She also won Gold in the Long Jump in the ’88 games and Bronze in ’92 & and ’96.
Field events will start at 9:30 am with the men’s javelin, followed by the women’s event. Running events get underway with the short relay at noon.
Cal Poly Pomona, which has become a power at the Div II level, and Utah, whose women’s team keeps moving up the rankings on the women’s side, will highlight the visiting teams. Cal State LA and Cal State Bakersfield are among the other teams competing with a handful of open athletes.
Yanle Ndjip-Nyemeck will lead the women’s hurdle field with elite Heptathlete Allie Jones seeded just .01 behind her (12.80-12.81). In the long hurdles, UCLA Alum Shae Anderson will compete in the event for the first time since 2021, and will also compete in the open 400 meters earlier in the day.
There will also be some events that are not the norm, like a 600-meter race and a 300-meter race. In the 300-meter race, some names of note are Raevyn Rogers, Sammy Watson, and Kendall Ellis.
A full slate of field events for the day, and the Bruin throwers will highlight the fields.
MEDIA
