UCLA Bruins Conclude 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships with Strong Performances and All-American Honors

EUGENE, Ore. – The UCLA Bruins wrapped up their 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Saturday, concluding a competitive four-day event held at the iconic Hayward Field. The final day saw notable performances from the women’s track and field team, including a seventh-place finish by the women’s 4×400 relay squad and an eighth-place finish by Valentina Fakrogha in the high jump.

The women’s team managed to score a total of 6.0 points throughout the championships, tying for 43rd place, while the men’s team secured 5.0 points, finishing in a tie for 51st place overall. On Thursday, Jana van Schalkwyk had a strong showing with a sixth-place finish in the women’s javelin, earning vital points for the Bruins.

Fakrogha was the first Bruin to score on Saturday, clearing a personal-best height of 1.84m (6-0.5) in the high jump on her first attempt. Her impressive performance not only placed her eighth overall but also marked the highest finish in the women’s high jump for the Bruins since Rhonda Watkins managed fifth in 2007. Additionally, Fakrogha’s mark is the best for UCLA at the NCAA championships since Sheena Gordon cleared 1.87m in 2004, bringing her into the top-10 list for UCLA’s all-time high jumpers.

The Bruins ended the meet with a spirited run in the 4×400 relay, clocking in at 3:31.14, which was their third-fastest time this year. The team, which included Kayla McBride, Taylor Snaer, Aly Conyers, and Naomi Johnson, secured their highest finish in the relay event since 2022 and will take home First Team All-America honors. This recognition marks the first Outdoor All-America honor for both McBride and Snaer, while Conyers and Johnson were previously recognized as Second Team All-Americans last season.

In other events, Sydney Johnson finished 14th in the women’s heptathlon, securing Second Team All-America honors. Johnson’s standout performances included a fourth-place finish in the long jump with a distance of 6.34m (20-9.75), a personal record in the javelin at 32.63m (107-9), and a ninth-place finish in the 200m at 24.35.

Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck also competed in the final of the 100m hurdles after leading all qualifiers with a time of 12.71 in the semifinals but unfortunately did not finish in the final event.