UA track squad aiming for another win

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore Carolyn Jackson runs the 400 meter in Saturday's track meet. Jackson is expected to have a great performance during her run this weekend.

After coming off an impressive victory at the Jim Click Shootout, Arizona hopes for another solid performance.

"Although it's the same type of meet (as) last week, it's going to be much more competitive," UA head coach Dave Murray said.

A look at the opponents makes it very clear why this is so.

The Trojans won the Pacific 10 Conference Championships last year. This season they are represented with strong depth in the sprints and hurdles.

Michigan travels to Los Angeles with three returning All-American distance runners.

Arizona is coming off a home event last weekend where the team gave an outstanding performance.

"At this meet, again we will rely on the disciplines where we are usually very strong, like the men's javelin, discus and shot put," Murray said.

The Wildcats' most secure bet for victory is junior distance runner Amy Skieresz. She showed her consistency once again last weekend when she led the women's team to a first place finish. She won both the 1500 and 3000-meter races. Although the competition will be tougher, especially with the strong Michigan runners, Murray expects her to finish first.

On the men's side, junior Abdi Abdirahman is looking to repeat his win in the 1500. Freshman Patrick Nduwimana is hoping to do the same in his race, the 800.

"I think he is really capable of running a fast time at the meet," Murray said.

Since senior Dominic Johnson is still tired after last week's decathlon, he won't start in his strongest event, the pole vault. He will, however, participate in two relays and the 400.

Senior Dee Dee Buzzi returns to action after her forced break due to a back injury. She will compete in her newly acquired event, the pole vault.

Another UA threat in the 400 is sophomore Carolyn Jackson, who has constantly reduced her time over the last couple of months. Murray said he expects an under 53 second performance from her this weekend.