Ugwu leads Wildcats to Sun Angel Classic

By Jason A. Vrtis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 5, 1996

Adam F. Jarrold
Arizona Daily Wildcat

Senior Michelle Ferguson passes the baton fellow senior Karen Bennett during the UA women's 4x400 meter relay last week.

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After three-straight home meets, the Arizona track and field squads will be traveling "light" this weekend as they compete in the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe.

The Wildcats will only be bringing throwers, jumpers and sprinters to the event as most of the distance runners will stay home to concentrate on training, UA head coach Dave Murray said.

"This is a good meet this week. It features a large contingent of world class and collegiate athletes," Murray said

Leading a strong team of throwers for UA is junior Chima Ugwu. Ugwu, who was a double winner in the shot put and discus last weekend against Oregon, is aiming for a repeat of that performance. On March 2, Ugwu set an NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 63 feet, 6 3/4 inches at the Bill Sawyer Invitational on the same field he will compete on this weekend.

Ugwu will be joined by sophomore Tyson Lingenfelter, who recorded a personal best throw of 60 feet, 1/4 inch to finish behind Ugwu last weekend. Lingenfelter's effort also provisionally qualified him for the NCAA Outdoor Championships held May 29 through June 1.

On the women's side, Arizona will be led by senior All-American Michelle Johnson, who will be competing in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and both the 4x400-meter and 4x100-meter relays.

Last weekend, Johnson anchored UA's victorious 4X400 squad and helped them to a time of 3 minutes, 37.63 seconds that provisionally qualified them for the NCAA outdoors. Their time ranks as the third-fastest in the country so far.

Senior Nicole Engstrom will compete for UA in the javelin. Engstrom is on her way back from shoulder surgery that sidelined her all last year. In 1994, Engstrom finished 17th the NCAA championships.

After this weekend's meet, Arizona will return home to Roy P. Drachman Stadium to host a meet with Arizona State, Northern Arizona and Wisconsin next weekend.

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