Senior Chima Ugwu's first-place performance in the men's shot put highlighted a strong effort by UA athletes competing in the Bill Sawyer Invitational Saturday in Tempe.

With many athletes resting for next weekend's NCAA Indoor Championships at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Arizona team members were still able to win 10 events at the annual all-comers meet. Team scores were not kept in the meet.

Ugwu's toss of 63 feet, 63/4 inches automatically qualified him for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, May 29-June 1. The mark was also a personal best for Ugwu and was the second-best throw in UA outdoor history.

"With this toss, Chima is certainly challenging to be the best thrower in the country," UA head coach Dave Murray said.

Senior Holly Montoya won the hammer with a personal-best effort of 166-8. That mark also provisionally qualified her for the NCAA outdoors.

Seniors Karen Bennett and Nicole Engstrom both turned in winning performances for Arizona. Bennett won both the 400- and 800-meter runs in 56.30 seconds and 2:15.21, respectively. She also helped her 1,600m relay team to a winning time of 3:52.21.

Engstrom won the discus with a throw of 145-9. Also, senior sprinter Dawn Mortensen won the 200m, finished second in the 400m behind Bennett and also ran on the winning relay team.

Junior Luther Kopf, who normally competes in the 800m, won the 1,500m in 3:55.47. The UA men also won the 1,600m relay in 3:16.28.