The University of California, Riverside (UCR) track and field team closed out its season with a strong showing at the Big West Championships, highlighted by four standout performances from jumpers Kazu Kimura, Chelsea Aninyei, Andrew Robinson and Aaron Fudge.
Between conference titles, podium finishes and personal records throughout the season, the Highlanders helped showcase the talent and resilience within the track and field program.
Sophomore Kazu Kimura led the way for UCR with a first place finish in the high jump (2.12m/6-11.50) while also placing fourth in the long jump (7.46m). Despite struggles during last year’s conference meet, Kimura said his biggest improvement came mentally rather than physically. 
Kimura emphasized how last season physicality was a driving factor in how he performed, but how “this year, I focused a lot mentally, and I think that is what helped me be so successful this year.”
Kimura explained that entering meets with more confidence and freedom allowed himself to compete without obsessing over marks or podium placements. Instead of letting poor performances define him, he learned to process setbacks constructively and focus on growth moving forward.
Chelsea Aninyei, a redshirt junior, also obtained a conference title, taking first in the triple jump (13.04m) as well as third in the long jump (6.08m). Returning to the same place she suffered an injury during last year’s conference meet, Aninyei viewed this year as an opportunity for redemption.
“My main goal was to prove to myself that whatever I thought about Long Beach and not performing well there was arbitrary,” she said. “It was just in my head.”
Despite battling difficult memories associated with the venue, Aninyei said she entered the weekend with a much healthier mindset than in previous years. Rather than chasing results, she focused on trusting the months of preparation leading up to the championships. That approach ultimately helped her deliver one of the strongest performances of her collegiate career.
“You don’t need to be beating yourself up every day,” Aninyei said. “Even if you didn’t PR at a meet, there’s still something to learn.”
Andrew Robinson emerged as one of the surprise performers of the weekend, earning third place in the triple jump (15.41m) after enduring a season filled with injuries and inconsistent performances. Robinson explained that despite adversity, he entered the final stretch of the season fully believing he could compete for a podium finish.
“I completely believed in myself,” Robinson shared. “When I hit it, I was happy, but I wasn’t surprised.”
Aaron Fruge rounded out the Highlanders’ successful weekend with a third place finish in the long jump (7.57m). Fruge emphasized how important consistency and mental preparation became after a disappointing performance at last year’s conference championships.
Fruge reiterated how easy it is to allow a negative mentality to affect your college career, but shared, “TThis year, I prepared my mind to be ready for the ups and downs and challenges.”
While the Highlanders celebrated impressive finishes at the conference championships, the athletes repeatedly pointed to something deeper than medals or podium spots.
Across each athlete a common theme emerged. Growth, resilience and learning how to trust themselves through the highs and lows of collegiate athletics. For UCR’s jumpers, the 2026 season became just as much about mental development as it did competitive success.
