Track and field back in Flagstaff for team indoors

For the second consecutive weekend the track team will travel en route to Flagstaff for tomorrow's 9 a.m. indoor invitational at J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome.

The Northern Arizona Invitational features nearly 200 participants from six schools.

This meet should be more of a challenge compared to last week's invitational for the Wildcats because of the higher caliber of athletes competing this time.

"This is supposed to be a heavier competition because they invited more talented people to this," said freshman Rori Kelly.

The Wildcats are only bringing about 15 athletes to Flagstaff though.

"We're taking mainly people trying to qualify for the NCAA's, trying to improve their marks or just to get them qualifying performances," head coach Dave Murray said.

Last Saturday's competition was against NAU and Arizona State.

The women's team (2-0) blitzed past the Sun Devils 81-37, but had a tougher match with NAU. The Wildcats eventually won 67-53 over the Lumberjacks, a traditional track powerhouse.

During the sweep, the women recorded 12 first and second place performances. Sophomore Amy Skieresz received the first automatic NCAA qualifier with her 9 minute, 32.69 second performance in the 3000-meter run. The time broke NAU's Skydome record by over 25 seconds.

"Amy's run in the 3,000 meters was terrific," Murray said. "I think that could be the best that will be posted in the country in the 3,000 meters this year."

The men's team (2-0) had little trouble with their in-state rivals as well. The Wildcats coasted past ASU 87-49 and beat the Lumberjacks 77-64.

Arizona's men came back with nine first place finishes and five NCAA provisional qualifying performances.

"I think we will do pretty well," said Kelly, the second place finisher in last weekend's 55-meter hurdles. "We should be able to perform just as well as last weekend if not better."

Men's lacrosse opens season today

Men's club Lacrosse play Brigham Young on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Wildcat Field (at 15th St. between Plummer and Tucson).

It's the season opener for the 21-member team. The Wildcats have 10 players returning from last season's 12-3 team.

BYU (1-1) beat Chapman College, who is ranked second in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League. The Wildcat are fourth.

"This should be an outstanding test for us," head coach Mikey-Miles Felton said. "We have an advantage since it's at home, but they have already played a couple of games. So it should give us a good picture of where we stand."

Admission is free for the single match this weekend.

- from staff reports

Gymnastics travel to Seattle to play No. 8 Washington and No.20 Boise St.

The No. 14 Arizona Women's Gymnastics team will be in Seattle for tomorrow's matches against No. 8 Washington and No. 20 Boise State.

The Gymcats (7-2, 2-1 in the Pacific 10 Conference) are coming off a first place finish at the Cat Classic which was held in Columbia, Mo. Wins included Penn State, Pittsburgh and host Missouri. Sophomore Heidi Hornbeek led the way in the all-around, including a Cat Classic record of 9.950 in the uneven parallel bars.

For the fourth straight meet, the Wildcats will have to leave home three of their top bar-people due to illnesses of various sorts.

Senior Becky Bowers is sick with the flu, and will not travel, along with Sophomore Maureen Kealy who is recovering from a concussion.

Junior Nancy Millberg is the most serious of the injured. She blew out her interior cruciate ligament on Monday, and will be out for the rest of the season.

"It's a lot of points that we are leaving in Tucson," UA head coach Jim Gault said. "We have our fingers crossed."

The Huskies come into the meet after losing to No. 19 Denver 195.225-194.150. Sophomore Tiffany Simpson won the all-around with a score of 39.325. Simpson will provide a challenge to Hornbeek in the all-around.

"Washington has certainly improved this year and will be tough to beat," Gault said. "We are going to have to do the best that we can, especially with Washington at full strength, and Boise State in the Top 20. We really have to be on."

One events that the GymCats still seem to be struggling with is the balance beam. "It's been an up and down year for us," he said. "We have a great beam team, but just have to do it when it counts." Gault said.

- Andy Carroll contributed to this report

Men's volleyball in Bear Down gym

The 2nd Desert Thunder men's volleyball tournament will be held in Bear Down gymnasium today and tomorrow.

The UA men's volleyball team is one of the favorites as well as the Deaf National Team and the College of Juarez, which is from Mexico.

The entire tournament will be in Bear Down gym.

The Wildcats play today at 10:15 a.m. against Pima Community College, 2 p.m. versus Northern Arizona, 5:45 p.m. vs. Colorado St. and at 8:15 p.m. against Stephen F. Austin.

The top three qualifiers from this pool will go on to championship bracket tomorrow. All updated information will be posted in the Student Recreation Center.

"There is a lot of good teams this year," UA assistant coach Skip Greenburgh said. "It's really up for grabs.

Arizona (1-0) is coming off its 15-8, 15-17, 15-6, 15-12 Western States Conference win on Utah St.