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Track in Iowa for 'fun meet'

At this weekend's Drake Relays, the UA men's and women's track teams will attempt to improve their relay teams in a meet known for its plethora of events.

"It's one of the major relay events of the year - a top four," UA head coach Dave Murray said. "(It's) a very good meet with a lot of good schools we may not see throughout the season."

Not many Wildcats will enter individual events, rather, most will be entered in some fashion as part of a relay team.

The meet, however, will still allow some runners to participate in individual events while still running relays as they prepare for the close of the season.

Senior Carolyn Jackson will try to do exactly that in her event - the 400-meter sprint.

"I'm hoping for a split of 51 (seconds), so I can feel confident that I can do it in my open," Jackson said.

The Wildcats will also get a break from harsh weather this weekend, as calm wind conditions and 70-degree weather is expected in Des Moines, Iowa. This is a stark contrast to the unsteady winds they have faced in the last two meets.

"The winds have been a problem all season, hopefully, they're won't be any," sophomore Mike Kenyon said.

Because the score is not calculated at the meet, Murray said the Drake Relays are a good opportunity for his competitors to get the experience of a big crowd without the pressure.

"There's no question, this is definitely a fun meet," Murray said.

After this meet, though, it's back to business for Arizona.

"After this meet, we have the major portion of our season, every meet is serious business," he said.

The serious portion of the track season includes the annual "triangle" meet featuring all three in-state schools - UA, Arizona State and Northern Arizona - and the last chance to qualify for the Pacific 10 Conference Championships coming in the Wildcat Qualifier.