CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona's Jonah Maiyo placed second in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:39.59, at the Arizona Invitational Saturday at Drachman Stadium.

Jeff Hunter is back, and that's not good news for the rest of the Pacific 10 Conference.

Hunter, along with fellow hurdlers Dan Cook and Jake Arnold, swept the men's 110-meter hurdles at Saturday's Arizona International meet at Drachman Stadium.

Both Hunter and Cook qualified for the NCAA West Region Championships May 27-28 in Eugene, Ore., with times of 14.18 and 14.22, respectively.

Hunter, a junior who is recovering from an injury suffered early in the indoor season, is just now starting to regain his strength, Arizona head coach Fred Harvey said.

"He is really starting to come back and do the things that he needs to do in terms of his fitness and competitiveness," Harvey said.

"That's huge for us," he said. "(Hunter) is such an important part of everything we want to do."

Hunter said that a good-natured rivalry is emerging between himself and Cook.

"It felt good to come out on top, though I know Dan's probably not very happy with me," Hunter said, smiling. "Which will be fun for the next two years, hating each other when we beat each other, (that) kind of thing."

The sophomore Cook, Hunter's roommate, said he was pleased to see Hunter cross the finish line in first place.

"You know, I'm really happy for him. I mean, he's been out for a while now, so for him to do that, it's just great," Cook said.

Cook said it helps to have someone like Hunter push him during practice and meets.

"All through high school, and my first year of college, I never had anyone like that. Now I finally have someone to push me, and I'm like, 'Yes!'" he said.

The rest of the team fared also well, posting 12 regional-qualifying performances.

The women's throwers continued to roll, providing six of the 12 qualifiers. Among those who qualified in the shot put were junior Kelli Burton (third; 51-foot, 11 3/4 inches), senior Ilona Rutjes (fourth; 50-10 3/4) and freshman Megan Howard (sixth; 49-11 1/4).

The women's team posted three qualifiers in the discus in Rutjes (first; 181-1), Varner (fifth; 170-4) and Burton (156-5).

Freshman Andrew Rademacher and senior Kevin Opalka tied for first in the pole vault with a mark of 16-6 3/4. Both athletes will head to Eugene in May.

"Our vaulters are doing a tremendous job," Harvey said. "I'm pretty excited about what they're doing. Our men's team is gaining some serious, serious momentum."

Sophomore Adam Kuehl qualified for regional championships in the shot put, placing second with a throw of 59-3.

Junior Sean Shields placed second in the discus with a toss of 181 feet, 5 inches, the Wildcats' final qualifying mark of the day.

Harvey said that his team is hitting its stride at exactly the right time.

"We basically have six weeks before the Pac-10 Championships," he said. "So if you're not gaining momentum now, you had better start looking at the chalkboard."