Nduwimana runs best 800m in nation

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Patrick Nduwimana placed first in the 800-meters at the Sun Angel Classic this weekend. Nduwimana's time of 1:46.48 was the top collegiate time in the nation this season and an automatic NCAA qualifying time.

Sophomore Patrick Nduwimana won the 800-meters in a time of 1 minute, 46.48 seconds, the fastest collegiate time in the nation this season. Nduwimana's time was also an NCAA automatic qualifying mark and just 17 seconds off his own school record, which he set last year in Italy.

The 800m race on the women's side was also a highlight for the Wildcats. Senior Shanna Griffin finished third with a personal best time of 2:07.47. Griffin's time was the fourth fastest in school history and an NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

"Our 800m runners had a great day," UA head coach Dave Murray said. "Patrick's time was just outstanding and Shanna ran really well, also."

Sophomore Ola Larsen won the men's javelin throw with an NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 222-feet, 11-inches (67.94m). However, Larsen's throw at the Bill Sawyer Invitational March 6 was a stronger NCAA provisional mark of 227-2.

Freshman Brianna Glenn, who ran a wind-aided 11.54 seconds in the 100m at the Texas Relays last week, finished second in the 100m this week with a time of 11.67. Glenn's time was the second-fastest, non-wind-aided time in school history and good enough to qualify for the Pac-10 Championships. Glenn also finished second in the triple jump with a mark of 40-6 1/4.

Sophomore Erin Doherty and freshman Jennifer Burris both ran personal bests in the 1,500m. In their respective heats, Doherty finished second with a time of 4:34.09, and Burris third with a time of 4:35.05.

Sophomore Tom Prindiville ran a personal best time in the 1,500m and came away with a fifth-place finish. Prindiville's time of 3:48.18 also qualified him for the Pac-10 Championships.

Sophomore Keith Varga placed second in the men's high jump with a jump of 6-8 3/4 (2.05m).

The Wildcats will resume competition next weekend at the Arizona Elite Classic Friday and Saturday at Drachman Stadium. Several Wildcat distance runners will travel to the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., in search of NCAA qualifying times.