By Roland Lechner
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 6, 1998

Track and field ready to take on in-state rivals

After nearly a month of quality practices the UA track and field teams are anxious to jump back into competition at this weekend's tri-meet with Northern Arizona and Arizona State in Flagstaff.

While the meet may be just a short stop on the tough road to the Indoor NCAA's Championships in Indianapolis, the Wildcats will be looking to show their optimism concerning the season was justified.

"This is our first meet to see where we stand. We're going to go against competition and not just practice anymore," UA head coach Dave Murray said.

Arizona is sending 22 men and 23 women to Northern Arizona.

Nevertheless, anything less than an Arizona win would be a surprise. Arizona State faces a rebuilding season where its only threats could be the sprinters and Northern Arizona's only apparent strength is in the long distance events.

"We're going up there with the purpose of trying to get some of the better athletes qualified (for the NCAA's). It is a very good track and very fast. Our sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers enjoy going there because you get the advantage of the altitude," Murray said. Technical disciplines, like the men's pole vault and shot put, promise to become the highlights. Junior Jussi Autio, senior Dominic Johnson and sophomore Jeff Dutiot are UA's three top contenders to go to the NCAA's in Indianapolis.

Senior Doug Reynolds, who already met the NCAA requirements with a school-record 62-feet throw in Reno, Nev. and senior Chima Ugwu prove to dominate the shot put competition.

"Chima had a very good week and I wouldn't be the least (bit) surprised if he even sets a new school record in Flagstaff," Johnson said.

On the women's side, the pole vault and the high jump should shape up to be the events to watch. This season marks the first time the pole vault will be included in the women's NCAA program. Freshman Megan Cumming already set a provisional qualifying mark at the Silver State Games in Reno in the high jump and Tara Fleming, who was the California State Champion in her senior year of high school, has cleared 6 feet. Murray thinks she is capable to go much higher.

UA's running squad will be strong as always, although junior Abdi Abdirahman won't travel with the team to Flagstaff due to academic concerns.

In the absence of Abdirahman, Murray expects freshman Patrick Nouwimana to step up in the 800 meter run.

"He's one of those individuals who we know can qualify for the NCAA's," Murray said.

Junior Amy Skieresz will lead the women runners once again, although she is not starting in her top event, the 5000m, where she is defending champion. Murray said he doesn't want to wear Skieresz out by forcing her to run the 5000m at Flagstaff's high altitude, with the Butler Invitational coming up next weekend.

"Amy could very well qualify automatically up there," Murray said.

Carolyn Jackson, the fastest freshman in the 400 last season, is also likely to get qualifying marks. She is also a member of Arizona's promising 4x400 relay team together with sophomore Nicole Thomas and seniors Stephanie Russ and Shanna Griffin.