With the addition of key athletes who are returning from nagging injuries, the Arizona track and field squad is hoping that its overall depth will be too much for in-state rivals Arizona State and Northern Arizona as they square off tomorrow at Drachman Stadium.

Wisconsin will also be sending a women's team to the event.

"It is probably one of the better in-state rivalries you'll find throughout the country, and I don't think this year will be any different," UA head coach Dave Murray said.

Senior long jumper Veronica Burton and junior hurdler DeeDee Buzzi return from hamstring injuries that have sidelined them since Feb. 17 and March 14, respectively. The UA men will be boosted by the return of junior sprinter Saki Middleton, who has also been out for much of the season with a hamstring pull.

"The Wisconsin women should bring a wealth of talent, particularly in the middle distance and distance events," Murray said.

The Badgers are led by 1995 NCAA Cross Country champion Kathy Butler. Butler, who also won the 3,000-meter run at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championships, could be matched up with Arizona's freshman Amy Skieresz.

Skieresz, who was a close runner-up to Butler at the cross country championships, is coming off an impressive victory in the 3,000 over Oregon's Melody Fairchild two weeks ago.

"If they match up, you will see a very fast performance from both ladies," Murray said.

Also headlining for the UA women tomorrow will be senior hurdler Michelle Johnson. Last weekend at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Johnson broke the Arizona outdoor school record in the 400 intermediate hurdles with a time of 57.17.

Johnson's effort was the fastest so far in the nation in that event and was good enough to qualify her automatically for the NCAA Outdoor Championships that begin May 29 in Eugene, Ore.

The Wildcat women will be hurt by the losses of senior Felicia Lane and junior Viola Schaffer. Lane, a sprinter, pulled her hamstring last weekend leading off the women's 4x100 relay and will be out indefinitely. Schaffer, a distance runner, has been out the last two weeks with a sore Achilles' tendon.

"The key for us will be to pick up points in the sprints, because over the past three meets we have got pretty well skunked in that area," Murray said.