UA track squad looking for more qualifying marks

Last week, after the men's team beat reigning Pacific 10 Champion Southern Cal in Los Angeles, it was ranked fourth out of 25 in Trackwire's April edition.

But despite recent success, the Wildcats won't have time to celebrate as they will face tough competition at the Sun Angel Classic Saturday in Tempe.

"It is one of those highly-competitive invitationals, where your goal is to get some qualifying marks (for the NCAA Championships in Buffalo, N.Y.)," UA head coach Dave Murray said.

The Wildcats will send 25 athletes to matchup with No. 13 South Carolina, Arizona State and several professional athletes like world-class sprinter Dennis Mitchell.

Murray decided to leave most of UA's distance runners, like juniors Amy Skieresz and Abdi Abdirahman, at home to give them some rest before next weekend's important Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.

Nevertheless, Arizona's track squad has its stars in the technical disciplines ready for Tempe. Freshman javelin thrower Esko Mikkola will be trying to continue his winning ways, as he goes for his third-straight win at the Sun Angel Classic. He also recorded the second-best throw in school history (235 feet), which was also a strong provisional mark for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Buffalo, N.Y.

Senior Dominic Johnson leads Arizona's talented pole vaulting trio. He is coming off a break due to decathlon activity.

"The pole vaulters had really bad luck with the weather at the last meet. Therefore, if the conditions allow it, we will be capable of good results," Murray said.

On the women's side, Carolyn Jackson promises to be ready for at least a provisional mark in the 400-meter. Despite pouring rain last week in Los Angeles, Jackson still finished in 53 seconds.

"I think, after her performance at the meets and in practice, that she is definitely capable of running in the 52-second range," Murray said.

Freshman Mandy Shefman is participating in the shot put and discus competitions. Her goal is also to get qualifying marks for the NCAAs.

"Although the hammer throw is much stronger than her shot put or discus competition, she still could be ready to score some good results," Murray said.