UCLA’s Celeste Polzonetti Claims Silver in 100m Hurdles at NCAA Outdoor Championships

UCLA’s Celeste Polzonetti Claims Silver in 100m Hurdles at NCAA Outdoor Championships

June 14, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Business

Celeste Polzonetti secured a national runner-up finish in the 100m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., according to event results. This performance marks the highest-ever finish for UCLA in the event, surpassing previous benchmarks set by program legends Dawn Harper and current head coach Joanna Hayes.

How did Polzonetti set a new program benchmark?

Polzonetti finished the 100m hurdles final in 12.79 seconds (12.782), narrowly beating Ohio State’s Janela Spencer (12.789) for the silver medal. During the race, Polzonetti swerved to avoid Kentucky’s Emmi Scales, who tumbled after catching her back leg on the final hurdle.

How did Polzonetti set a new program benchmark?

This result represents the first individual medal for UCLA since Alyssa Wilson placed third in the hammer in 2019. It is also the first time a Bruin woman has finished as runner-up or better at the NCAA Outdoors since Turquoise Thompson’s 400m hurdles performance in 2012.

Did You Know? Celeste Polzonetti’s second-place finish is the highest position any UCLA athlete has ever achieved in the 100m hurdles, beating previous third-place finishes by Dawn Harper and Joanna Hayes.

What are the performance trends in the high jump?

Valentina Fakrogha placed sixth in the high jump after clearing 1.87m (6-1.5). This result marks a year-over-year improvement for the sophomore, who placed eighth with a clear of 1.84m at the previous year’s NCAA meet.

According to program records, Fakrogha’s sixth-place finish is the best result for UCLA in the women’s high jump since Rhonda Watkins finished fifth in 2007. Fakrogha, Polzonetti, and Xaver Hastenrath (men’s shot put) all earned 2026 First Team All-American honors.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that breaking a medal drought dating back to 2019 suggests a shift in individual performance ceilings for the program. The ability to surpass historical benchmarks set by former legends indicates a potential increase in the program’s competitive ceiling.

How did the teams perform in the final standings?

UCLA concluded the 2025-26 season tied for 24th place in the women’s team standings with a total of 11 points. The men’s team tied for 57th place, finishing with two points.

Women's 100m Hurdles Final – Big Ten Outdoor Championships 2026 [Full Race Replay]

What happens next for the program?

Given the year-over-year improvement seen in athletes like Fakrogha, the program may look to build on these individual benchmarks in future seasons. The return of First Team All-Americans could lead to a possible increase in total team points.

Future performance may depend on whether the program can replicate Polzonetti’s record-breaking trajectory in other events to move up from the 24th and 57th place team standings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who achieved the highest-ever UCLA finish in the 100m hurdles?
Celeste Polzonetti became the national runner-up, marking the program’s highest-ever finish in the event.

How did Valentina Fakrogha’s 2026 performance compare to 2025?
Fakrogha improved from an eighth-place finish at 1.84m last year to a sixth-place finish at 1.87m this year.

What were the final team placements for UCLA?
The women’s team tied for 24th place with 11 points, and the men’s team tied for 57th place with two points.

Do these individual record-breaking performances signal a broader upward trend for the program’s overall team standings?