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Track teams get final tune-up in Reno

The final tune-up before the NCAA Championship begins today as the Arizona men's and women's track team heads to Reno, Nev. for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships.

Both teams will be taking full squads to compete in the MPSF Championships, which consists of teams from four different conferences - the Pacific 10, Big West, Big Sky and West Coast .

"This is our so-called conference meet, so we are going to put a little more importance on it," UA head coach Dave Murray said. "Basically, though, we are looking to improve some of our NCAA qualifying marks."

All together, 14 teams will be a part of the championship meet.

For the women's team, which has the top qualifying time in five events, senior Carolyn Jackson will lead the way as she competes in her final MPSF Championships. She is the top qualifier for the 400-meters with a time of 53.97 seconds.

"I want to post a final strong time, grab a win and help the team win the meet," said Jackson. "The team should have a strong showing."

Coming off an impressive win against Arizona State and Northern Arizona, the women's team will also look to sophomore Brianna Glenn, senior Nicole Thomas and junior Andrea Neary for strong performances.

Glenn, fresh off last weekend's effort in which she set three UA indoor records, will compete in four events, the most of any UA athlete. She's the top qualifier in the 60 and 200. In addition, Glenn will be competing in the long jump and triple jump.

Along side her will be fellow record breaker Neary, who has bested her own school record in the pole vault in each of the last three meets.

Thomas leads a trio of runners from the UA, with junior Rori Kelly and sophomore Alexandra Komnos, in the 60-meter high hurdles as the group enters the event ranked 1-2-3.

Sophomore Tara Chaplin also enters as the top seed in her event, the 5,000.

On the men's side, senior Jeff Dutoit will try to continue his excellence in the pole vault. Dutoit is the only top qualifier for the men's team.

Helping Dutoit out will be sophomore Mike Kenyon (200 and 400), junior Keith Varga (60 high hurdles), and senior Micheil Jones (3,000).

All three enter the meet in the top five in their respective events.