Wildcats sending 12 athletes to NCAA Indoor championships

The men's squad will send junior runner Bob Keino, junior pole vaulter Dominic Johnson and sophomore weight-thrower Tapio Kolunsarka.

An identical number of women are going, lead by sophomore runner Amy Skieresz, plus sophomore runner Emily Nay and senior runner Dee Dee Buzzi.

"We think that all of the people going (to the championships) will score," UA head coach Dave Murray said. "The best matchup will be between Amy and Kathy Butler."

Butler, a Wisconsin runner, was the last person to defeat Skieresz in any event in track or cross country. Skieresz qualified with a time of 15 minutes 40.10 seconds in the 5,000-meter run, which is second to Butler's 15:37. Nay's time is fourth best at 16:32.50.

"It will be an awesome race," Murray said.

Buzzi qualified with a time of 7.78, 12th best, in the 55m high hurdles.

For the men, Keino will have to compete today in a preliminary mile race with 19 other runners. His time of 4:01.92 ranks fifth among all competitors, but there are so many running that a preliminary must be run to "reduce the field," said Murray.

"He's bounced back," Murray said of Keino, who had missed much of the cross country season with a number of injuries. "He's running extremely well in practice. He finished fifth in this event last year."

Kolunsarka will be competing in the 35-pound weight throw on the strength of his season-best toss of 68 feet 4 1/4 inches, which ranks him fourth nationally.

Johnson's vault of 17 feet 7 inches, an Arizona record, is ranked 12th going into the meet.

The meet runs through tomorow, and the Wildcats will have a bye week before hosting the 10-team Willie Williams Classic in Tucson on March 21-22.