The Arizona track and field teams capitalized on an ideal setting - perfect weather and a crowd of more than 18,000 fans - to fare well in the prestigious Drake Relays over the weekend.
"(The weather) was fantastic," said UA head coach Fred Harvey of the conditions in Des Moines, Iowa. "We had probably about mid-60-degree-type weather with light wind. It was very nice. We came prepared for anything. If it was going to rain, we brought equipment for that as well."
During Saturday's final, junior Sharifa Jones had another dominating performance in the women's 100-meter hurdles. Jones finished second, clocking a time of 13.37 seconds - her best non-wind-aided time of the season. In the 100-meter final, sophomore Marquita Taylor came in fifth at 11.98 seconds.
In the special pole vault final, senior Connie Jerz cleared 13 feet, 6 inches, earning her fifth place. The event was won by former Wildcat Andrea Dutoit (14 feet, 10 inches).
The women's 4x100-meter relay team finished third in the final at 45.86 seconds, while the 4x400-meter team came in fifth.
The men's relay squads held their own as well, with the 4x100-meter team taking seventh in the finals at 421.36 seconds.
Senior Jevon Mason finished seventh in the men's 400-meter final at 49.01 seconds. Junior Jin Daikoku took home sixth in the men's 1,500-meter run at 3:53.33, just missing his season best.
In Friday's action, the Wildcat relay teams continued to demonstrate their speed. The women's 4x100-meter team won its heat with a time of 45.91 seconds, good enough to qualify for Saturday's finals. The women's 4x400-meter squad followed in similar fashion, finishing second at 3:42.75 - a new season best and NCAA-regional qualifying time. The men's 4x100-meter team also qualified for the final at 41.84 seconds.
Despite a communication error with the coaching staff, Jones won her heat in the women's 100-meter hurdles at 13.59 seconds and qualified for Saturday's final.
"(Jones and I are) learning how to communicate with one another," Harvey said. "I told her to control her emotions and get to the finals, and she thought that meant not to run as hard."
Also on the track, Marquita Taylor won her heat in the 100 meters at 11.96 seconds and earned a spot in Saturday's finals. Freshman Nikki Taylor finished second in the event, tying her season best of 12.08 seconds, but failed to qualify for the final.
On the men's side, freshman Daniel Cook had a big improvement in the 110-meter hurdles. Cook finished sixth in his heat, clocking a time of 14.70 seconds and qualifying for the Pacific 10 Conference Championships.
"We thought we had a very good day," Harvey said. "Day one is about how many athletes you can get to the finals. (We told everyone to) enjoy the Drake Relays and to enjoy the event. It's going to be something very special to the rest of your life."
The Arizona throwers made their way back to California for the Triton Invitational, hosted by UC San Diego.
On Friday, senior Amber Varner finished 19th in the hammer throw competition with a throw of 167 feet, 11 inches. Senior Ryan Moore was the top Arizona finisher in the men's hammer throw, finishing 14th with a throw of 182 feet, 1 inch.