The Sky is the Limit
May 12, 2009
By Mike Smyth
At the All-UC meet at Anteater Stadium, track & field star Lauren Collins had a stellar performance winning the high jump and the long jump. Her 6-0 mark in the high jump broke her previous school record of 5-11 ¼ set in 2007 and her long jump of 19-0 tied Kristi Kaufman (1991) for No. 4 in school history.
"It was a great feeling to break the 6ft. barrier. I can't count how many times I've tried to do it in the last two years. It was awesome."
Being a heptathlete, Collins competes in seven different events including hurdles, high jump, shot put, and javelin throw. She stated that her favorite events are the high jump and long jump, and she also enjoys competing with the team on the 4 x 400 relay as well. Her least favorite events are the throws.
Earlier this year, she also set a new school record in winning the heptathlon at the Northridge Spring Break Open Multi-Events. Collins totaled 5,549 points, breaking her previous UCI record of 5,512 set in 2007. Her score at Northridge is an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Championships at Fayetteville, Ark., June 10-13 and also for the USA Track & Field Championships at Eugene, Ore., June 25-28. Her mark at the Northridge meet also ranked seventh best in the world this year.
Last year, Collins redshirted to train for the Olympic trials. The top 24 usually advance to the Olympic trials, but last year USA Track & Field took only the top 18. Although she narrowly missed the cut, finishing 22nd, she learned a lot from facing the elite competition.
"That experience really fueled the fire to improve and make the Olympic trials next time," Collins stated.
A new addition to the UCI track team this year is Lauren's younger sister, Kelly. After competing together in high school, now the sisters share the college experience at UCI. Lauren says the two are extremely close and they are both very supportive of each other.
"It is great to have her here with me. She is one of my best friends."
Collins has several individual and team goals she wants to achieve, but her number one goal is to be an All-American, which would require her to finish in the top 8 at the NCAA Championships. She also wants to improve on her high jump record and go further in the long jump.
Collins says the UCI team has a good mix of new faces and returnees. She would like to see both the men's and women's teams do well in conference and go the NCAA Regionals in Eugene, Oregon.
This season promises to bring major accomplishments and achievements for the gifted Collins. She has the talent, work ethic, and attitude to be an All American and a future Olympic athlete. The sky is the limit for UCI's latest track and field star.
