The UA swim team face off against in-state rival Arizona State tomorrow at noon in the Wildcats' final home spring meet.
Although the rivalry between the Wildcats and Sun Devils isn't as vicious as in other sports, this weekend's competition should provide both teams with fast races.
"It's a very competitive rivalry in the pool," sophomore Jeff Dash said. "We are really itching for a victory this year. There's no possibility it will be a blowout - it will go back and forth and the better team will win."
It's been two years since UA last defeated the Sun Devils, giving the Wildcats motivation to take home a victory in its home pool.
"It's not going to be a cake walk," senior Scott Gaskins said. "I want to have a win against ASU. That would be a great way of going out as a senior, shutting out ASU in our own house."
Ruggers seek to beat Sun Devils, remain undefeated
After avoiding a second-half disaster against rival ASU, the men's rugby team said they are looking forward to keeping their loss column empty when they take on UC-San Diego today at 2:30 p.m. at Estevan Park.
"It will be a good game for us," UA head coach Dave Sitton said. "Two years ago they won the national championship in division two, then moved up last year."
The Tritons (3-3, 1-2) - coached by one of Sitton's former players, "Stenny" Stenson - gave UA fits last year, but UA came out on top 22-17.
"UC-San Diego conducts an outstanding program," Sitton said. "Any teams that win national championships at any level at any sport are to be respected and studied."
"We need to get out to a good start and play 80 minutes," Sitton said. "We are looking for some growth. We need to identify a few players that can play up at a top level."
Wildcats host club v-ball tourney at rec center, Bear Down Gym
The No. 1-ranked UA men's volleyball team will defend its two consecuative national club volleyball championships at a weekend long volleyball tournament being played at the Student Recreation Center and Bear Down Gymnasium.
The tournament, which features 19 other teams, starts tomorrow at 9 a.m. at both locations.
"There are going to be some tough teams out there," sophomore outside hitter Turner Elliott said.
Junior setter Jeff Grobe said the team hopes that the normally small crowds improve for the weekend event. The team inundated local media all week in an attempt to boost crowds.
"We usually don't get that great a crowd," he said. "Never more than 100 people."
Track team heads to Indianapolis; field going to Flagstaff
Following a week of intense practices, the UA track and field teams will split up to compete in separate away meets this weekend. The track portion of the team will take part in the Cannon IV Invitational hosted by Butler University today and tomorrow.
The event, which is being held in Indianapolis, is considered one of the top sites for indoor track and annually gathers elite competition.
While the runners take stride in Indiana, the field-event athletes go to the Flagstaff Invitational, hosted by Northern Arizona University.
One of the most anticipated events will be the debut of the 4x400m men's relay team.
"We want to put out a time that hopefully places us in the top five in the country," sophomore Matt Lea said.
Lea is expecting a lot out of himself and his teammates as they run in one of the premier indoor tracks in the nation - the National Institute for Fitness and Sport.
"I think our expectations are a lot higher," Lea said. "It's one of the best tracks in the country."
Also seeking to make a national mark will be junior Brianna Glenn.
In her first meet, the junior qualified provisionally in both the 60- and 200-meter dash.
"(This will be) the first meet I'm going to have some real competition," Glenn said. "I'm real excited and ready to do really well."
Wildcats play host UNM and Oregon - without Blau
Just days after junior No. 1 singles player Lindsey Blau decided to leave the UA women's tennis team, citing differences with her coaches, the Wildcats will try to pick up the pieces when they play host to New Mexico and Oregon.
The Wildcats play the Ducks today at 1:30 p.m. and the Lobos tomorrow at 10 a.m. Both matches will be held at UA's Robson Tennis Center.
UO has defeated the Wildcats only twice since 1985.
UA head coach Brad Dancer said he will be looking for a more loose and focused Wildcat squad today.
"Hopefully, we'll be a little less nervous this weekend," Dancer said after his team appeared a little tense despite dominating Northern Arizona last weekend.
GymCats travel to L.A. in hopes of toppling No. 1 UCLA
Coming off two wins last week against ranked opponents - Denver and Oregon State - the UA gymnastics team travels to Los Angeles to take on UCLA and two other teams at the 34th annual UCLA Invitational.
The Cats face the No. 1 Bruins, as well as Washington and Cal State Fullerton.
Ryden said his team isn't intimidated by the Bruins' No. 1 rank.
"I'm confident that the team will do well," head coach Bill Ryden said. "We are competing very well as a unit, but we just have to keep improving week after week."
