Bruins, Trojans in Running for Titles

USC’s and UCLA’s hopes of a national championship at the NCAA track and field championships beginning here today could hardly be be more of a contrast.

The Trojans’ best chance this year rests with their men; the Bruins are relying on their women. USC’s men have won an NCAA-best 26 titles, the last in 1976; UCLA’s women have won four, all between 1975 and ’83. And while the second-ranked Trojan men will rely on speed, the No. 2 Bruin women will be displaying their power.

USC’s Jerome Davis, who won the 200 and 400 meters and was on two winning relays in the Pacific 10 championships, is the defending NCAA champion in the 400. At the Pac-10 meet May 22, Davis ran a 44.95 in the 400, a personal best and the second-fastest collegiate time in the nation this season.

Though his collegiate career is over after this weekend, Davis is one of the nation’s best future hopes in the 400, an event dominated by Americans, most recently Michael Johnson.

“The key success over a long time is to constantly train and stay consistent over a career, being able to run the same time week-in and week-out,” Davis said. “When [international success] does come, I don’t want it to overwhelm me. . . . I think I’ll be ready.”

But before he begins an international career, Davis wants to put on one more show at the NCAAs, and Trojan Coach Ron Allice thinks he will.

“Jerome is very special,” Allice said. “You get a Jerome Davis once every coaching career.

“It’s a quality he possesses [Davis’ ability to do well in big meets]. There are people who are faster and stronger than him, but they don’t have the heart, discipline and drive he has.”

As much as USC might rely on Davis, UCLA will look to Seilala Sua.

The two-time defending NCAA champion in the discus and shotput, the junior nearly completed an unprecedented sweep of the four throwing events at the Pac-10 championships.

She won the discus, shotput and javelin and finished fourth in the hammer.

At the NCAAs, Sua will pass on the javelin and hammer to defend her titles. She has no doubt where she’ll finish.

“I decided to concentrate on the shotput and discus and get 20 points in those [10 points go to first in each event],” Sua said. “Why try the javelin and hammer throw and get a few points there and take the chance of wearing out and not winning the shot and discus?”

Last year, UCLA finished second to Texas by only five points. The Longhorns ranked ahead of the Bruins, a fact not overlooked by UCLA.

“Last year was really close, and this year we’re a better team,” Sua said. “But, yeah, we want to [beat Texas] because of last year and the fact that they’re the defending national champions.”

Davis and Sua are the headliners for USC and UCLA, but they are not the schools’ only standouts.

USC is sending 13 men and 13 women to the championships, UCLA has 13 women and 10 men. And the Trojan women aren’t far behind the Bruins, ranked No. 5.

USC freshman Angela Williams has the nation’s top collegiate in the 100 at 10.96, and Trojan Natasha Danvers’ 55.75 in the 400 hurdles is also tops in the nation.

As an indication of how good the two schools are, the Bruin men are the longest shot to win a title, and they’re ranked 22nd.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NCAA TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

* What: NCAA track and field championships

* When: Today through Saturday.

* Where: Bronco Stadium, Boise State University, Idaho.

* Defending team champions: Men--Arkansas; Women--Texas.

* Local defending champions: Men--Jerome Davis (USC), 400; Women--Seilala Sua (UCLA), shotput and discus.

* Local rankings: Men--USC 2nd, UCLA 22nd; Women--UCLA 2nd, USC 5th.