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Arizona's 3 universities square off tomorrow

Coming off a successful meet in Nebraska, where two indoor school records were set, the Arizona men's and women's track teams will head to Flagstaff tomorrow for the annual indoor double-dual meet against Arizona State and Northern Arizona.

Most importantly, this meet will finally showcase both the men's and women's teams sending a full squad to compete in scoring events.

"Our annual tri-meet this weekend is going to be the first time we have really been together as a team for a scoring meet," UA track head coach Dave Murray said. "We are going to be taking a full team up there, so we will just have to see how we do."

For some athletes, including team captains seniors Jeff Dutoit and Carolyn Jackson, this will be their last meet indoors against the instate rivals.

For others, such as Sacramento State University transfer sophomore Mike Kenyon, this meet will be considered a rite of passage for them at UA.

"I feel this meet will be my initiation into the U of A," said Kenyon, who also has other inspiration to perform well at this meet.

"I'll be facing two old rivals, one from each school."

The two rivals are Tony Berrian from ASU and Terrance Johnson from NAU.

Kenyon hasn't seen Berrian since the two faced each other back in Sacramento, Calif. In 1997, the two competed for the state high school title, and although Kenyon had a faster time entering the state finals, Berrian won the 400-meters.

Johnson was last year's Big Sky Indoor champion in the 200 and 400, while Kenyon was the Big Sky Outdoor champion in both events.

What adds even more suspense is that, as Kenyon points out, "neither one of them knows I transferred to the UA, so I'll be looking forward to surprising both of them."

Although Kenyon has the individual match-ups on his mind, he also understands how important it is for the team to do well in preparation for next weekend's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championships.

Dutoit agreed the Flagstaff meet is an important tune-up.

"It'll be nice seeing the team at full strength for the first time this year, especially with the MPSF next weekend," Dutoit said.

"As a senior, I want to go out on top against ASU and NAU."

Francisco Merced can be reached at sports@wildcat.arizona.edu.