Sidelines

Arizona sent four pole vaulters, including 1997 All-American Dominic Johnson, and two throwers.

UA head coach Dave Murray didn't expect to get a lot of new information about his athletes' performances during the indoor invitational.

"The Silver State Games were mainly to give our outstanding throwers the opportunity to compete," Murray said of seniors Chima Ugwu and Doug Reynolds.

Besides getting experience, UA athletes had the chance to qualify for March's NCAA Indoor Championships.

This seemed to be enough motivation for Reynolds. He set a school record with his 62-foot throw, earning himself a berth at the NCAA's in Indianapolis.

Ugwu threw 59' 9" to reach the provisional mark. He didn't get an automatic berth but could still go to the championships if no more than fifteen athletes record better scores this season.

In the pole vaulting action, senior Dominic Johnson and sophomore Jeff Dutiot - competing in his first meet as a Wildcat - both cleared 17'1" for provisional marks.

Yesterday, Murray, in his 31st coaching season at UA, said he is very optimistic about the season.

"It seems that this U of A track and field team is going to be the best one there ever was," he said. "This is the kind of team with championship character."

Briefly

The C.A.T.S Program (Commitment to an Athlete's Total Success), was recently honored as a winner of the NCAA National Award for a Program of Excellence. The UA program was one of only four schools to receive this prestigious award.

The C.A.T.S Program is made up of academic and student-athlete services, personal development, medical service, strength and conditioning, and equipment.

By the Numbers

61.4:

Miles of athletic tape, lined up end to end, the athletic training room goes though in a year. Approximately 7,200 rolls of tape are used by UA athletes. The average football player who needs two ankles wrapped goes through approximately 30 yards of tape each day.