UA Track struggles with wind in Tempe

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA senior shot putter Chima Ugwu winds up for an attempt during the March 28 Jim Click Multi Invitational in Tucson. Ugwu scored the second best mark in the Pacific 10 Conference this season with a throw of 64-3 1/4 feet at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe on Saturday.

"It was another one of those weekends, where the level of track competition was outstanding, but the surroundings just didn't support a good meet," UA head coach Dave Murray said.

With the track and field season moving into its decisive period, especially in terms of using the last opportunities to set qualifying marks, the Wildcats' bad luck with the weather recently represents a major disadvantage compared to other teams.

Arizona's pole vaulters watched their event be canceled for the second time this season in Tempe after just one round, because the conditions were too dangerous for the athletes.

Nevertheless, the Wildcats also experienced some bright moments at the Sun Angel Classic, especially in the throwing events where three seasonal bests and qualifying marks were set for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Buffalo, N.Y.

Senior Chima Ugwu in the shot put secured himself the second best mark in the Pacific 10 Conference with a throw of 64-3 1/4 feet, meeting the automatic qualifying requirements for the second time this season. He finished in second, losing only to the No. 1 thrower in the nation, Brad Snyder of South Carolina.

In the javelin throw, freshman Esko Mikkola extended his winning streak to four with a seasonal best and Pac-10 leading attempt of 237-9, which, although it is just a provisional mark for the NCAAs, should easily allow him to qualify, Murray said. Mikkola's teammate, freshman Ola Larsen, also recorded a seasonal best to give Arizona yet another 1-2 finish in the javelin competition.

On the women's side, sophomore Mandy Shefman underlined her talent in the throwing disciplines with a personal-best and a Pac-10 qualifying performance in the discus with 156-7, although her usual strength is in the hammer throw, where she was already victorious twice this season.

The hopes for good track times were literally blown away in the wind, because the sprinters and distance runners had to battle a constant headwind. Therefore, the times didn't bring any new conclusions about the Wildcats' potential. Despite the windy weather, freshman Patrick Nduwimana shined in the 800-meter. He nearly equaled his seasonal best, which he ran under regular conditions, with a time of 1:49.53 and gave the Wildcats their second event win of the Sun Angel Classic.