The UA track and field team hits the road this weekend, but will remain in the state of Arizona when its field squad heads to Mesa today and the track team travels to Tempe and Sun Angel Stadium tomorrow.

Both the UA men's and women's squads take the field today at Riggs Stadium in Mesa to compete against impressive national competition from 27 schools in the Mesa Classic.

Included in that field on the men's side are No. 17 Florida and No. 25 Colorado State. Competition for the No. 23 ranked Arizona women includes No. 12 Brigham Young.

"We've been waiting to get outdoors where we can unleash some of our weapons," UA head coach Fred Harvey said.

Those "weapons" include the men's 4 by 400-meter relay squad that is having an excellent year, having already earned an NCAA post-season qualifying time. Last week, the four sped past conference rival UCLA by one second to take first place in the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational in Los Angeles.

Sophomore running sensation Jeff Hunter leads the squad, followed by Matt Lee and Adrain Thomas and anchored by Jevon Mason. The competition this Saturday, however, will be the toughest the Wildcats have faced to date.

Taking part in the Tempe meet will be experienced squads, including No. 5 Southern California and the top team in the nation ÷ Auburn.

"There is a possibility this weekend that we could set a school record in the men's 4 by 400 and not even win the event," Harvey said.

The women's 4 x 100-meter relay team is equally as talented and will be looking to improve upon its third place finish last weekend in Los Angeles.

Harvey expects excellent showings from both squads, but feels the men have a better shot at earning a win for the Wildcats.

"They (the women) will run well this weekend, but it's the men who are right on cue," said the first-year head coach.

Many eyes will be on newcomer Connie Jerez this Friday in Mesa to see if the pole-vaulter can continue her recent success. Jerez has earned first-place finishes in all three of her outdoor meets this season. A week ago in Los Angeles, Jerez set her personal best with a leap of 13 feet, 7 inches.

"Right now we are right where we want to be," said Harvey of his team's recent performance level.

Although the men are not ranked in the latest Trackwire top-25, the Wildcat men are ranked fourth in the nation in the recent collegiate power rankings. The women's team is currently ranked fifth.

The power rankings are based on a team's individual performances. That total is then pitted against schools from around the country and ranked accordingly.