By Roland Lechner
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 13, 1998

UA track team hopes for Top-5 finish at NCAA Indoor

Six Arizona Wildcats will travel to Indianapolis this weekend to participate in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

All the athletes will see action today, when the finals in the field disciplines and the long distance events are scheduled to take place.

Arkansas and Louisiana State are the favorites on the men's and women's sides respectively. The two schools have dominated this event for the past decade, Murray said.

Although Arizona's squad seems to be relatively small compared to other teams, its outstanding quality was underlined through great performances throughout the Indoor season.

"All of our athletes definitely have point potential and if each of them finishes in first, second or third place, a Top-3 finish is on the line," UA head coach Dave Murray said.

Additionally, the Wildcats have an unexpected threat at the NCAAs with junior Abdi Abdirahman, who missed most of the indoor season due to academics. Since he was declared eligible last week, he took the last chance to qualify for the NCAAs over the 5000 meter in 14:00.86 at a meet in Indianapolis, which earned him the eighth fastest time in the nation.

Junior Amy Skieresz is the overwhelming favorite in the 5000, not only because she is ranked No. 1 in the nation, but because she also likes the track in Indianapolis. She became the NCAA Champion on that surface last year.

"(Skieresz') goal is to repeat the championship. Right now, Amy is running as well as she ever has and there is even the possibility for her to break the American Collegiate Indoor Record," Murray said.

Senior Dominic Johnson is one of the favorites in the pole vaulting competition. He is in third place nationally and only one inch behind the best vault.

"Anyone of the first five or six vaulters nationwide could win. Dominic is capable and has to vault between 18-6 and 18-8 feet," Murray said.

In the shot put competition, seniors Chima Ugwu and Doug Reynolds will try to maintain their early-season dominance.

"Chima is definitely able to win by throwing in the neighborhood of 65 feet, which he already accomplished this season, while Doug could have a Top-5 finish, if he throws around 63 feet," Murray said.

The last starter for Arizona is senior Shanna Griffin in the 800. Griffin barely made the NCAAs by placing 16th out of 18 available slots.