Saturday could be the busiest afternoon of Monique Henderson’s UCLA career if she enters all five of the events in which she is scheduled to compete at the crosstown dual track meet. But if that’s what it takes to beat USC for the fourth time in her career, Henderson says she is prepared for the challenge. “It was my idea,” Henderson said. “I brought it up to the coaches. I would definitely do it for the team. The most I’ve done since high school is four, but we’ll see if it’s necessary.” Henderson, an Olympic gold medalist in the 4x400-meter relay last summer, appears to be one of fifth-ranked UCLA’s few hopes of scoring points in the sprinting events. The ninth-ranked Trojans feature a bevy of quality sprinters, particularly in the shorter distances. But Henderson would be the favorite to win the 100, 200, and 400 meters if she enters – and if her body can stand the pounding. “She could do it on paper,” UCLA coach Jeanette Bolden said, “but there are a couple things I have to consider. I have to make sure she stays injury free.” The one event Henderson knows for sure that she will enter is the 400 meters, her specialty event. It will be the first 400-meter race of the season for Henderson, the NCAA runner-up in the event last June. How many of the other four races she enters will depend on whether the Bruins need her points to clinch a victory. “It’s something we will be watching very closely,” Bolden said.
HARPER’S HEALING: UCLA’s Dawn Harper, who has been hampered by a hamstring injury for the past few weeks, is healthy enough to compete in the 100-meter hurdles on Saturday, Bolden said. But it won’t be an easy race for Harper, an All-American in the short hurdles last year. Among the other athletes in the field is USC’s Virginia Powell, the NCAA indoor champion in the event who also holds the top outdoor time in the nation. Harper has only raced once outdoors this season, finishing the 100-meter in 13.29 seconds.
QUOTE TO NOTE: USC coach Ron Allice on how it would be difficult for the Trojans to win if Monique Henderson does enter all five races: “I don’t care how many good recruiting classes I’ve had. If she runs five events, that’s half the meet.”