One of the greatest track and field athletes in UCLA history
returned to Westwood this weekend, but he was not clad in his alma
mater’s traditional blue and gold.
Mike Powell, the world record-holder for the long jump, manned
the sidelines as an assistant coach for Cal State Fullerton as the
Titans squared off against UCLA, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal
State Los Angeles at Drake Stadium on Saturday.
“It feels good to come back here, but it felt a little
weird too” Powell said. “I am definitely a Bruin. It
took me a long time before I was able to put on my Fullerton
jacket.”
A three-time Olympian and two-time silver medalist, Powell
graduated from UCLA in 1986. He joined the Titan coaching staff as
a volunteer assistant for the 2001 season and is in his first year
as a paid assistant in charge of the horizontal jumpers, sprinters
and hurdlers.
Powell has also coached a number of Olympic-caliber jumpers, and
worked as a consultant for several of the Dodgers’ minor
league affiliates.
“I am trying to put in as much work on the coaching side
as I did athletically,” Powell said. “When I was in
school, I always wanted to be a teacher, and coaching has filled
that role. I’ve really enjoyed it a lot.”
Since Powell was hired, the Titans’ jumpers have been
among the best in the Big West. Fullerton’s Brandon Campbell
won the conference long jump championship in 2001, and was the
runner-up in 2002. Aaron Williams finished fourth.
On Saturday, the Titans’ jumpers struggled in the long
jump, but dominated the triple jump, sweeping the event’s top
three spots. Powell was pleased to see his athletes succeed, but
also kept a close eye on his alma mater’s performance.
While none of the current Bruins had a particularly strong day,
junior jumper Juaune Armon impressed Powell with his overwhelming
athleticism.
“Juaune’s got a lot of talent, but his technique
needs improvement,” Powell said. “He has to make baby
steps. He jumped 26 feet last year, and hopefully this year
he’ll go as high as 27. He’s definitely got all the
talent in the world.”
Powell has not competed in two years, but may consider another
comeback after the collegiate season ends.
“I’ll be 40 years old this year, so I am just proud
that I’ve been staying in shape,” he said. “I
think that next year I’ll decide whether or not to compete
again.”