Throwers head to Calif. for Triton Invitational

The Arizona track and field teams prepare for another weekend of intense competition - the Wildcat sprinters and jumpers will compete in the 95th annual Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, while the throwers head to La Jolla, Calif., for the Triton Invitational.

The Drake Relays will feature more than 6,000 athletes, including 520 from 62 countries. Colleges and universities from 34 states will be represented, with Long Beach State, South Florida, Furman, Cornell and Pacific 10 Conference rival Washington competing.

The Arizona men prepare to do battle against 675 competitors from 55 universities, while the women will compete against 727 athletes from 63 universities.

"(The Drake Relays is) the finest relay event in the entire United States, in my opinion," UA head coach Fred Harvey said. "It's an event you get 18,000 (fans at) each day, whether it's rain, shine or snow.

"It's more individual, like (last week's) Mt. SAC Relays. However, more full university teams will be there. This is more of a college relay carnival rather than mixture of professional and collegiate (athletes)."

Veteran track athlete and sophomore Angel Perkins was surprised by the spectator turnout in the 2003 Drake Relays.

"Last year was my first. I have been running track 12 years, but I've never seen that many people," Perkins said. "I'd heard about it but never seen it. When you walk into the stadium, it's amazing. Now I know what all the hype is about.

"Regardless what race you run, you're going to be nervous. Me personally, the more people there is, the more competitive I get. All these people came out here to watch you run, so it's kind of like you don't want to disappoint them."