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5.26.2000
Wildcat Track and Field Face Top Collegians at NCAA Championships
Up Next: Durham N.C. and Duke University will be the center of attention in the track and field world May 31-June 3 as the NCAA Outdoor Championships will be held at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Arizona men's and women's track and field teams will be a part of the action, as the Wildcats send 11 athletes, five men and six women to the meet. Results of the meet can be found on the NCAA Championships website (www.ncaachampionships.com) after each day.
Who's Competing?: Arizona will face the best competition the collegiate ranks have to offer in Durham. Qualified athletes from around the country make this the best meet on U.S. soil short of July's Olympic Trials this year. Competing for the Wildcats will be: sophomore Tara Chaplin (5,000m and 10,000m), senior Jeff Dutoit (pole vault), junior Katrin Engelen (10,000m), sophomore Brianna Glenn (100m and long jump), sophomore Mike Kenyon (400m), senior Carolyn Jackson (400m), senior Ola Larsen (javelin), senior Esko Mikkola (javelin), junior Patrick Nduwimana (800m), junior Andrea Neary (pole vault) and senior Nicole Thomas (400m hurdles).
Travel Plans: Arizona will leave Tucson Sunday, May 28 and will be staying at the Regal University Inn for the duration of the week. Track and field SID Ryan Eigenbrode will be traveling with the team and can be reached at the hotel () or on his cell phone () while in North Carolina.
Fast Forward: Several Arizona athletes will continue training through the summer and compete in the Olympic Trials for the U.S. or their respective countries.
Wildcat Women's Watch: The Arizona women have several elite competitors on the team this season, led by quarter-miler Carolyn Jackson. The senior from Tucson, Ariz. will be a national title contender in the 400m this season. Jackson, a four-time All-American, won the Pacific-10 Conference 400m title, running 52.23 in the final. That time is also her best of the season and No. 5 in the nation this year. Two sophomores will also pace the Wildcats this year, Tara Chaplin and Brianna Glenn. Glenn, from La Mirada, Calif., will contend for Pacific-10 Conference titles in the 100m, as well as long and triple jumps. Chaplin, from Montpelier, Vt., won the Pac-10 5,000m title last season, and competed in five NCAA Championship events as a freshman -- a first for a Wildcat. Chaplin continued her success this season, finishing fifth in the 5,000m at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Glenn set four school indoor records, the 55m, 60m, 200m and long jump. Glenn finished fifth in the 60m at the NCAA Championships and 10th in the long jump, earning All-America honors in both. Glenn continued her big-time success, winning the Texas Relays 100m crown in an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 11.24w. At the ASU-NAU dual meet, Glenn raced to a school record time of 11.45 (wind-legal) in the 100m and set a school record of 21-2 3/4 (6.47m), also an NCAA automatic qualifier. She also won the triple jump with the No. 3 jump in school history (41-5 3/4) and ran the second leg on a school record setting 4x100m relay team. Chaplin ran the fastest collegiate 10,000m time at the Mt. SAC Relays, 33:17.39, the No. 4 time in Pac-10 history and No. 2 in the UA record books. Her time is an NCAA automatic qualifying mark and also gets her into the U.S. Olympic Trials. She also picked up an NCAA automatic time in the 5,000m of 16:11.73 at the Cardinal Invitational. Glenn finished third in the 100m, 200m and long jump at the Pac-10 Championships, while Tara Chaplin was fourth in both the 3,000m and 5,000m.
Men's Movings: Three All-Americans return to the Arizona team this season, seniors Jeff Dutoit (pole vault) and Esko Mikkola (javelin) and junior Patrick Nduwimana (800m). Dutoit finished third at the NCAA Indoors and tied for seventh at the Outdoors last season. He provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor meet with a clearance of 17-6 1/2 (5.35m) at the Feb. 12 Husker Invitational. He cleared a season-best mark at the NCAA Championships, 18-0 1/2, to finish eighth. Dutoit cleared an outdoor season-best of 17-10 1/2 (5.45m) to win the Arizona Elite Classic, which is also an NCAA provisional qualifier. He also won the university/college pole vault competition at the Drake Relays with a clearance of 17-9 (5.41m) and was later fourth at the Pac-10 Championships. Mikkola won the 1998 NCAA Championship and finished second last year in the javelin. He appeared to be fully recovered from an early season ankle injury, but was then sidelined by infected wisdom teeth. He opened his season at the April 15 UTEP Invitational with an NCAA automatic qualifying throw of 238-2. He threw for only the second time this season in Eugene at the Pac-10 Championships. His throw of 236-6 (72.08m) was by far the best of the competition. He became the first three-time Pac-10 javelin champ with the throw. Nduwimana advanced to the semifinals of the 800m at the World Championships last summer after finishing second at the NCAA Outdoor meet. Nduwimana missed all of the indoor season and the first half of the outdoor season with an Achilles' tendon strain. He made his debut in fine fashion, however, clocking a personal-best time of 3:45.07 in the 1,500m at the Arizona Elite Classic. His time was only 0.07 off an NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Nduwimana ran his first 800m of the year at the ASU-NAU dual meet and qualified for the NCAA meet with a time of 1:48.56. He won his second straight Pac-10 Championship, edging UCLA's Jess Strutzel at the tape for the title.
Last Time Out: The Arizona men's and women's teams both finished sixth at the Pacific-10 Conference Championships May 20-21 in Eugene, Ore. Three Arizona athletes -- seniors Esko Mikkola (javelin) and Carolyn Jackson (400m) and junior Patrick Nduwimana (800m) -- won conference titles, while three others -- seniors Jeremy Lyon (3,000m steeplechase), Ola Larsen (javelin) and Nicole Thomas (400m hurdles) -- finished second in their events. Mikkola and Nduwimana were repeat winners, Mikkola becoming the first three-time javelin winner in conference history.
Qualified: Several Arizona athletes have already reached NCAA or Pacific-10 Conference meet qualifying standards. They are:
NCAA Automatic: Tara Chaplin (10,000m, 5,000m), Brianna Glenn (100m, 200m, long jump), Andrea Neary (pole vault), Esko Mikkola (javelin).
NCAA Provisional: Women's 4x100m Relay (Rori Kelly, Brianna Glenn, Nicole Thomas, Carolyn Jackson), Brianna Glenn (triple jump), Carolyn Jackson (400m), Rori Kelly (100m high hurdles), Katrin Engelen (10,000m), Nicole Thomas (400m hurdles), Phyllis Brown (pole vault), Mike Kenyon (400m), Jeremy Lyon (3,000m Steeplechase), Mike Cramer (10,000m), Richard Legarra (discus), Ola Larsen (javelin), Patrick Nduwimana (800m), Keith Varga (400m hurdles), Jeff Dutoit (pole vault).
Chart Talk: The Wildcats have made a dent on the all-time performance lists so far this year...
Women:
100m (1.) Brianna Glenn 11.24w
1. Brianna Glenn 11.43
200m (1.) Brianna Glenn 22.97w
1,500m 10. Erin Doherty 4:26.51
5,000m (2.) Tara Chaplin 16:03.21i
4. Tara Chaplin 16:11.73
10,000m 2. Tara Chaplin 33:17.39
6. Katrin Engelen 34:37.65
100m HH 7. Rori Kelly 13.62
8. Alexandra Komnos 13.78
400m LH 4. Nicole Thomas 57.77
Pole Vault 1. Andrea Neary 13-1 1/2 (4.00m)
3. Phyllis Brown 12-3 1/2 (3.75m)
4. Sarah Jacobs 11-9 3/4 (3.60m)
Long Jump 1. Brianna Glenn 21-2 3/4 (6.47m)
Triple Jump 3. Brianna Glenn 41-5 3/4 (12.64m)
5. TaKisha Morgan 41-1 (12.52m)
Shot Put (6.) Mandy Shefman 48-5 1/4 (14.76m)i
7. Mandy Shefman 47-5 1/4 (14.46m)
Discus 8. Mandy Shefman 159-6 (48.62m)
Javelin 9.* Shaya Orendorff 144-1 (43.92m)
Hammer 4. Nicole Kraus 168-10 (51.46m)
6. Kameko Gay 162-6 (49.54m)
8. Davi Paletz 148-2 (45.16m)
4x100m 1. Kelly-Glenn-Thomas-Jackson 44.74
Men:
400m 2. Mike Kenyon 45.78
110m HH T-7. Keith Varga 14.13
400m IH 1. Keith Varga 50.70
Pole Vault 3. Jeff Dutoit 17-10 1/2 (5.45m)
(4.) Gordy Sasser 16-8 3/4 (5.10m)
Discus 6. Richard Legarra 188-10 (57.56m)
Javelin 3. Ola Larsen 235-4 (71.72m)
9. Matt Wagner 217-0 (66.14m)
More Listings: Arizona athletes have also moved up on the Pacific-10 Conference all-time lists. Tara Chaplin's 10,000m time is No. 4 in conference history, while her 5,000m time ranks No. 7 all-time. Andrea Neary moved to No. 5 all-time with her pole vault clearance of 13-1 1/2 (4.00m). Brianna Glenn moved into a tie for No. 8 all-time with her school record of 11.43in the 100m. Glenn's 200m time is the No. 5 wind-aided mark in conference history. Her long jump mark of 21-2 3/4 (6.47m) is also No. 8 in the conference books.
Brianna B-Good: Sophomore Brianna Glenn put together one of the most successful indoor seasons in recent years, setting school records in the 60m, 200m and long jump. She provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in all three events, with marks of 7.38caa, 24.25c and 20-7 1/4 (6.28m). She won the MPSF Indoor title in the 55m and was second in the 200m and third in both the long and triple jumps. At the NCAA meet, Glenn finished fifth in the 60m and 10th in the long jump, earning All-America honors in both events. She ran 7.31 in the preliminaries of the 60m, resetting her school indoor record. The sophomore has not slowed a step in the outdoor season, in fact she has been even faster. She won the Texas Relays 100m title in 11.24w, an NCAA automatic qualifying performance. Although her time was wind-aided, it was the fastest run by an American woman in 2000 at the time. The following week, she ran 22.97w at the April 15 UTEP Invitational, another NCAA automatic mark. She set the school 100m record with a wind-legal 11.45 at the ASU-NAU dual meet, and also set a school best in the long jump with a leap of 21-2 3/4 (6.47m), an NCAA automatic qualifier. The sophomore scored 33 points to help the Wildcat women beat Cal, Colorado and Minnesota at the Jim Click Shootout. She won the 100m, 200m and long jump and was third in the triple jump at that meet. Glenn finished third in the 100m (11.30w), 200m (23.23w) and long jump (20-9w/6.32) at the Pac-10 Championships. She added another bronze as the women's 4x100m relay team finished third, as well.
Chasing Amy: Sophomore Tara Chaplin has continued her success from last season when she was a two-time All-America. Chaplin has taken the title of distance king at UA from Wildcat great Amy Skieresz, who won seven NCAA titles and was a 10-time All-American. Chaplin finished fifth in the 5,000m at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Her time of 16:03.21 is a career-best and the best time run by an Arizona athlete, other than Amy Skieresz. Her time is also No. 7 all-time in the Pacific-10 Conference. She ran the No. 4 time in Pac-10 history in the 10,000m at the Mt. SAC Relays. Chaplin was the top collegiate finisher in 33:17.39, an NCAA automatic qualifying time and No. 2 in school history. She also ran an NCAA automatic time of 16:11.73 in the 5,000m at the Cardinal Invitational May 5. At the Stanford Invitational, Chaplin ran 33:45.64 in the 10,000m. She was fourth in both the 3,000m and 5,000m at the Pac-10 Championships. Last season, she finished 10th in the event (16:25.25), earning All-America honors. She also ran the 3,000m at the meet, finishing 12th (9:37.56). Chaplin continued her strong freshman campaign during the outdoor season, qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor meet in the 5,000m and 10,000m. She placed ninth in the 10,000m (34:52.96), again garnering All-America laurels, and was 15th in the 5,000m (17:01.03). Last season, Chaplin completed a first for a Wildcat freshman, competing in five NCAA Championship events. This year, she also finishing 33rd at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Sky High: Senior Jeff Dutoit cleared a season-best mark in the pole vault at the NCAA Indoor Championships, 18-0 1/2, to finish eighth and earn the third All-America honors of his career. He finished third at last year's indoor meet with a career-best clearance of 18-2 1/2, tying UA's indoor school record. He then finished tied for seventh at the NCAA Outdoor meet at 16-10 3/4 (5.15m), earning the second All-America honors of his career. He competed at the 1998 NCAA Outdoor Championships, but did not clear a height. This season, Dutoit cleared 17-8 1/2 (5.40m) in Flagstaff, Ariz. to provisionally qualify for the meet. Dutoit likely earned a return trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, clearing 17-10 1/2 (5.45m) to win the Arizona Elite Classic. His mark ties his career outdoor best, and is an NCAA provisional qualifying performance. Dutoit continued his quality performances the following week, winning the university/college pole vault competition at the Drake Relays. He cleared 17-9 (5.41m), over four inches higher than any other vaulter in the event.
Action Jackson: Senior Carolyn Jackson has been one of the Wildcats' top performers at the national level the last three years. Last season, she earned 400m All-America recognition at the indoor and outdoor championships, finishing eighth at the indoor games and ninth at the outdoor meet. She also earned All-America honors at the 1998 NCAA Outdoor meet, finishing fifth. This season, she ran 53.76 to win the MPSF Championship and qualify for the indoor meet. Jackson ran a career-best 52.10 last May to earn an automatic qualifying mark for the 99 outdoor meet. The time is also No. 2 in school history. At last season's Pacific-10 Conference Championships, however, she severely injured her hamstring and did not advance past the prelims. She battled back, and competed at the NCAA meet, although it was thought impossible. She finished second in her heat, the first and slowest of the championships, and did not advance to the final, but still earned All-America recognition for having the ninth-fastest time. This year, she made up for last year's disappointment at the Pac-10 meet. She won the 400m title in 52.23, her best time of the year and No. 5 in the nation this season. She finished 10th in the preliminaries at the NCAA Indoor Championships, but did not advance to the final. However, she did earn All-America honors. Jackson ran a strong outdoor provisional qualifying time, 52.88, to win the Jim Click Shootout April 1. She improved on that time at the April 15 UTEP Invitational, running 52.58 despite strong winds. She also won the quarter-mile at the ASU-NAU dual meet where she ran 52.48.
Head of the Class: Junior Andrea Neary is not only the team's top pole vaulter, but she is one of the top students at the UA. She has a 4.0 grade point average in physiology and was named the 2000 Raytheon Woman Athlete of the Year for her dedication to the team and her schoolwork. Neary smashed the school record at the April 1 Jim Click Shootout, clearing 13-1 1/2 (4.00m), No. 2 in Pac-10 history and an NCAA automatic qualifying mark. Neary qualified for the indoor meet in the pole vault for the second straight year. She finished 12th in the pole vault at the meet with a mark of 12-3 (3.75m). This season, she set an indoor school record, clearing 12-9 1/2 (3.90m) in Flagstaff, Ariz. to qualifying for the meet. At last year's competition, Neary finished 14th in the event, clearing 11-7 3/4. This season, she finished fourth at the MPSF Championships with a mark of 12-7 1/2 (3.85m). She provisionally qualified for last year's outdoor meet, but did not advance.
St. Patrick: Junior Patrick Nduwimana was out of action for the indoor season and half of the outdoor season with an Achilies' tendon injury, but he looks to be his old self since his return April 22. Nduwimana finished second at the 1999 NCAA Championships in the 800m and was seventh at the 1998 meet. He also ran at the 1999 World Championships in Spain for his native Burundi and finished fifth in his semifinal heat. He opened competition this year in the 1,500m at the Arizona Elite Classic. He ran 3:45.07, a personal-best in the event and only 0.07 seconds off the NCAA provisional standard. He made his season debut in the 800m at the ASU-NAU dual meet and coasted to an NCAA qualifying time of 1:48.46. Nduwimana won his second straight Pac-10 title, edging UCLA's Jess Strutzel at the finish for the victory.
Speared: Arizona will have two of the top javelin throwers at the NCAA Championships again this year. Seniors Esko Mikkola and Ola Larsen are No. 6 and 8, respectively, on the NCAA list this season, but each are expected to finish higher at the competition. Mikkola has only thrown twice this year, but has won the competitions both years. He threw 238-2 (72.60m) at the UTEP Invitational and 236-6 (72.08m) at the Pac-10 Championships. Battling a chronic back injury, he became the first person to win three straight Pac-10 javelin titles. Larsen finished second to him for the second straight year. He has a best throw of 235-4 (71.72m) from the Bill Sawyer Invitational in March.
Pac-10 Honors: Four Arizona athletes have been named Pacific-10 Conference Athletes of the Week a total of five times this year, two more than any other Pac-10 team. Brianna Glenn won women's track athlete of the week April 10 after her performance at the Texas Relays. Esko Mikkola won men's field honors after an NCAA automatic qualifying mark at the April 15 UTEP Invitational. Jeff Dutoit won the men's field arward May 1 after his pole vault win at the Drake Relays. Carolyn Jackson won for women's track May 8 after running a season-best time at the ASU-NAU meet and running the anchor leg on the school record setting 4x100m relay team. Glenn also won that week for women's field after setting school records in the 100m, long jump and 4x100m relay.
In the Books: Arizona athletes have set several school records already this season. Brianna Glenn set four indoor records (55m, 60m, 200m and long jump). She set two more individual records at the May 6 ASU-NAU dual meet, running the 100m in 11.45 and long jumping 21-2 3/4 (6.47m). The women's 4x100m relay team of Rori Kelly, Glenn, Nicole Thomas and Carolyn Jackson set a school best in 44.74 at the same meet. Andrea Neary set the school indoor record in the pole vault, 12-9 1/2 (3.90m). She then smashed the outdoor record, which she set at 12-7 1/2 (3.85m) earlier in the season, at the April 1 Jim Click Shootout. She cleared 13-1 1/2 (4.00m), good for No. 2 all-time in the Pac-10. Keith Varga set a new standard in the 400m hurdles, clocking a time of 50.70 at the Arizona Elite Classic. The women's sprint medley team of Nicole Thomas, Alexandra Komnos, Liz Giltner and Rori Kelly set a school record at the Drake Relays, running 56.36 seconds to better the mark of 56.51 set in 1994.
Rewind: Arizona hosted one last tune-up, the May 13 Wildcat Qualifier, before heading to Oregon for the conference championships. The Wildcats had only one new qualifying mark, as senior Jeremy Lyon ran a huge PR in the 800m, 1:50.01. He is also No. 1 in the conference in the 3,000m steeplechase. Sophomore Nicole Kraus threw a PR in the hammer throw (168-10/51.46m)... Arizona beat Arizona State and Northern Arizona soundly in dual meet competition May 6 at Drachman Stadium. The Wildcat men beat ASU, 108-104, and NAU, 117-86. The UA women topped the Sun Devils, 103-80, and the Lumberjacks, 115-60. The Wildcat women set three school records at the meet. Brianna Glenn set two more individual records, running the 100m in 11.45 and long jumping 21-2 3/4 (6.47m). The women's 4x100m relay team of Rori Kelly, Glenn, Nicole Thomas and Carolyn Jackson set a school best in 44.74. On the men's side, Mike Kenyon won the 400m in 45.78, the No. 2 time in school history and an NCAA qualifier. Patrick Nduwimana debuted in the 800m with an NCAA qualifier of 1:48.56... Several Arizona athletes competed at the Drake Relays, April 28-29, in individual and relay events. Senior Jeff Dutoit won the university/college pole vault competition with a clearance of 17-9 (5.41m), his second-best mark of the year. The women's shuttle hurdle relay team Nicole Thomas, Alexandra Komnos, Liz Giltner and Rori Kelly finished third in a school record time of 56.36, eclipsing the 1994 mark of 56.51. The women's sprint medley relay team of Kelly, Brianna Glenn, Carolyn Jackson and Cara Cline and the men's distance medley relay of Chris Schaefer, Mike Kenyon, Mike White and Micheil Jones both also finished third at the relays... The Wildcats completed a successful competition at the Arizona Elite Classic, April 21-22, with several qualifying marks. Jeff Dutoit cleared 17-10 1/2 (5.45m) in the pole vault, and Nicole Thomas ran 58.25 second in the women's 400m hurdles, both NCAA provisional performances. Keith Varga set a school record, clocking a time of 50.70 in the 400m hurdles, another NCAA provisional time. Patrick Nduwimana competed for the first time this season and won the invitational 1,500m in 3:45.07, a personal-best time and 0.07 seconds off the NCAA provisional standard... The Wildcats picked up three NCAA automatic qualifying marks the weekend of April 14-15 at the Mt. SAC Relays and the UTEP Invitational. Tara Chaplin was the top collegiate finisher in the women's 10,000m, running 33:17.39, the No. 2 time in school history. Brianna Glenn ran a wind-aided 22.97 in the 200m at the UTEP meet, the top collegiate time there. Esko Mikkola competed for the first time this season and picked up an NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 238-2 to win the UTEP javelin title... Arizona competed at the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas April 6-8 with solid results. Sophomore Brianna Glenn continued her superstar year, running a wind-aided 11.24 to take home the 100m title. Her time was an NCAA automatic qualifying performance, as well. Senior Rori Kelly matched her season best in the 100m high hurdles, running 13.84, and freshman Alexandra Komnos ran a season-best of 13.87... The Arizona men and women swept the team titles over Cal, Colorado and Minnesota at the April 1 Jim Click Shootout in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona's men scored 215 points, while the women scored 202. The Wildcats won 20 events at the meet, cruising to easy wins. Junior Andrea Neary set a school record in the pole vault, clearing 13-1 1/2 (4.00m), an NCAA automatic qualifying mark. Senior Carolyn Jackson ran the Wildcats' other NCAA qualifying mark of the day, 52.88, a provisional mark in the 400m. Sophomore Brianna Glenn won the 100m, 200m and long jump and finished third in the triple jump, scoring 33 points for the Wildcats. On the men's side, juniors Keith Varga and Mike Kenyon both won two events at the meet. Varga won the 110m high hurdles in 14.24, the No. 10 time in school history, and the 400m hurdles (52.15). Kenyon won the 200m (21.37) and 400m (46.48). His 400m time is No. 4 in UA history. Sophomore Richard Legarra scored 20 points for the men, winning the discus and finishing second in the shot and sixth in the hammer... Seven Wildcat distance runners competed at the Stanford Invitational, March 25-26, and four finished with NCAA qualifying marks. Tara Chaplin was the second collegiate finisher in the women's 10,000m (33:45.64), earning an NCAA auto mark. Her time is No. 2 in UA history and No. 7 in Pac-10 history. Jeremy Lyon finished third in the 3,000m steeplechase, running a strong NCAA provisional time (8:47.91) in the process. Mike Cramer and Katrin Engelen ran NCAA provisional times in the men's and women's 10,000m, 29:46.16 and 34:37.65, respectively. Three Wildcat throwers competed at the UC-San Diego Open, each coming away with at least one PR. Richard Legarra threw 188-10 (57.56m) in the discus, a personal best, NCAA provisional mark and No. 6 all-time at Arizona. Mandy Shefman threw two outdoor personal bests, 47-5 1/4 (14.46m) in the shot and 159-6 (48.62m) in the discus. Her throws are No. 7 and No. 8 all time at UA, respectively. Jeremy Fulton threw a personal-best in the discus, 169-10 (51.76m), a Pac-10 qualifying mark... Arizona opened its home schedule March 17-18 with a successful effort at the Willie Williams Classic. The team recorded four NCAA provisional qualifying marks, 30 Pacific-10 Conference qualifying marks and set two school records. Brianna Glenn set a school best in the 100m, winning the event in 11.49, and Andrea Neary set a school record in the pole vault with a clearance of 12-7 1/2 (3.85m). Nicole Thomas ran an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 59.00 in the 400m low hurdles. Keith Varga competed in the 400m hurdles for the first time in his career and ran 51.76, the No. 10 time in school history... Some members of the men's and women's teams opened their outdoor seasons March 4 at the Bill Sawyer Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. Junior Ola Larsen had the best performance of the meet, throwing an NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 235-5 (71.72m) to win the javelin. His toss is also a career-best and No. 3 in school history. Senior Mandy Shefman won the women's shot put with a toss of 47-5 (14.45m), a career best and No. 7 all-time at UA. Two other Arizona athletes won events at the meet, graduate student Chris Schaefer in the 800m, 1:53.39, and senior Jeremy Lyon in the 1,500m, 3:52.36... Some members of the men's and women's teams opened their outdoor seasons March 4 at the Bill Sawyer Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. Junior Ola Larsen had the best performance of the meet, throwing an NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 235-5 (71.72m) to win the javelin. His toss is also a career-best and No. 3 in school history. Senior Mandy Shefman won the women's shot put with a toss of 47-5 (14.45m), a career best and No. 7 all-time at UA. Two other Arizona athletes won events at the meet, graduate student Chris Schaefer in the 800m, 1:53.39, and senior Jeremy Lyon in the 1,500m, 3:52.36.
Under the Roof: Arizona had a very successful trip to the MPSF Championships in Reno, Nev. The men finished second and the women were third at the meet. Three Wildcat individuals won titles, and the men's distance medley relay team picked one up, as well. Tara Chaplin won the 5,000m in 16:51.56, Carolyn Jackson tied for first in the 400m in 53.76 and Brianna Glenn won the 55m in 6.84, a new school indoor record. Glenn also finished second in the 200m and was third in the long and triple jumps. Mike Kenyon and Matt Lea finished 2-3 in the men's 400m, while Keith Varga was second in the men's 55m high hurdles... The men's and women's teams had their first scoring meets of the season with full teams competing and finished with considerable success. The women beat ASU, 80-79, and NAU, 79-69. The men beat NAU, 95-78, but lost to ASU, 79-74. Sophomore Brianna Glenn set three indoor school records -- 60m (7.34), 200m (24.05) and long jump (20-7 1/2) -- and picked up NCAA Indoor provisional qualifying marks in the process. Junior Andrea Neary won the pole vault, breaking her own school indoor record in the process at 12-9 1/2. Senior Carolyn Jackson provisionally qualified in the 400m (53.97), while senior Jeff Dutoit improved his provisionally pole vault mark with a clearance of 17-8 1/2... The Wildcats picked up four NCAA provisional qualifying marks during the competitive weekend of Feb 11-12 at the Husker Invitational in Lincoln, Neb. and the Cannon IV Classic in Indianapolis. Junior Andrea Neary broke her own indoor school pole vault record, clearing 12-7 1/2 (3.85m) and finished second at the Husker meet. Senior Jeff Dutoit also picked up a qualifying mark in the pole vault, clearing 17-6 1/2 (5.35m). Sophomore Brianna Glenn provisionally qualified in the 60 meters, finishing second at the Husker meet in 7.43. Sophomore Tara Chaplin provisionally qualified in the 5,000 meters at the Cannon IV Classic with a time of 16:35.18. Although she did not qualify for the NCAA meet, senior Nicole Thomas set an indoor school 60m high hurdles record in 8.57... Arizona opened its season at the Silver State Games Jan. 29 in Reno, Nev. Junior Andrea Neary had the lone NCAA qualifying mark, setting an indoor school record in the process, with a clearance of 12-6 (3.81m)... Senior Micheil Jones won the men's 3,000m in 8:33.58 (8:23.57aa).
The Coaches: In his 33rd year as head coach at the University of Arizona, director of track and field and cross country Dave Murray is the dean of Wildcat coaches. Murray, a 1965 graduate of Arizona and former Wildcat athlete, has coached 131 All-Americans in both track and field and cross country throughout his career. He has also coached 21 NCAA Champions, 18 in track and field and three in cross country. Aside from the day-to-day planning and direction of the program, Murray focuses on coaching the Arizona distance runners. Associate head coach Fred Harvey (13th year, Cal Poly-SLO, 82) coaches the Wildcat sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams. Harvey has coached several athletes who accomplished much at the national and world levels, including 1999 World Championship competitors Michelle Johnson (6th - 400m hurdles) and Patrick Nduwimana (semis - 800m). Associate head coach Mike Maynard (13th year, Azusa Pacific, 86) coaches the Wildcat throwers. He has also coached many elite national and world throwers and has coached in international decathlon competitions. Assistant coach Tom Hays (3rd year, Kansas, 89) directs the Arizona pole vaulters and jumpers, and assistant coach Dawn Mortensen (3rd year, Arizona, 96) works with the sprinters and hurdlers.
Murray's Musings: This is the NCAA Championships, so we are just looking for all of our kids to be competing at their top levels. We don't have a lot of people, but we have plenty of people who are going to be very capable of scoring points at this meet. If we get the points that we are capable of, I think we can finish in the top 10-15. If we just go crazy and score a ton of points, we can finish a lot higher.
Jeff Dutoit
Senior
6-2, 182
Dighton, Kan. (Dighton/Wichita State)
Pole Vault
2000... Three-time All-American in the pole vault... Finished eighth in the pole vault at the 2000 NCAA Indoor Championships with a season-best clearance of 18-0 (5.50m), the third best mark in the Pac-10 entering the meet... Cleared 17-10 (5.45m) at the Arizona Elite Classic to qualify for the NCAA outdoor meet this year... Won the Drake Relays university/college pole vault with a clearance of 17-9/5.41m and picked up Pac-10 Men's Field Athlete of the Week honors for his performance... Finished fourth in the pole vaulat the Pac-10 Championships.
Mike Kenyon
Sophomore
5-10, 160
Citrus Heights, Calif. (Del Campo/Cal State-Sacramento)
400m
2000... Transferred to Arizona from Cal State-Sacramento, where he was the Big Sky Conference 200m and 400m champion... Finished third in the 400m at the Pac-10 Championships... Ran the Pac-10's No. 2 400m time, 45.78, at the UA-ASU-NAU double-dual meet... That time is No. 2 in school history and is a strong NCAA provisional time... Also had the team's best 200m time of the season, 21.10w/21.17.
Ola Larsen
Junior
5-11, 185
Oslo, Norway (Grefsen Vidregaaende)
Javelin
2000... Opened the season with a throw of 235-4/71.72m at the Bill Sawyer Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. and that mark has been his season best ever since... However, he has thrown in the 234' range numerous times since... Mark is just off the NCAA automatic performance of 72.00m, but his throw ranks No. 8 in the nation and in the Pac-10 is second only to teammate Esko Mikkola... Finished second at the Pac-10 Championships behind Mikkola for the second straight year... Was ninth at the NCAA Championships last year... His 235-4 throw is No. 3 in school history.
Esko Mikkola
Senior
6-1, 205
Tampere, Finland (Sampo Sport)
Javelin
2000... Two-time All-American and 1998 NCAA Champion... Has won the javelin competition at the Pac-10 Championships each of the last three years, becoming the first three-time champion in the event at the conference level... Threw only twicethis season, but won both events he competed in this season... Threw an NCAA automatic qualifying toss of 238-2/72.60m at the UTEP Invitational... Was named Pac-10 Men's Field Athlete of the Week following his performance... Won the Pac-10 with a toss of 236-2 (72.08m) ... Has been bothered by back problems for the last two seasons... Finished second in the javelin at last season's NCAA Championships after winning the 1998 title with a Pac-10 record toss of 268-7/81.86m.
Patrick Nduwimana
Junior
5-10, 136
Bujumbura, Burundi (Lycee Kamenge)
800m
2000... Two-time All-American... Missed most of the season with an Achilles' tendon injury, but came back to run well in the last couple of weeks... Ran 1:48.55 at the UA-ASU-NAU double-dual meet to get his NCAA qualifying time... Ran just his second 800m of the year, edging UCLA's Jess Strutzel at the finish line to win his second straight Pac-10 title... Opened his season with a time of 3:45.07 in the 1,500m at the Arizona Elite Classic, which was just off the NCAA qualifying time... Will also run on the 4x400m relay team... Won the Pac-10 800m title last year, holding off Washington State's Bernard Lagat, and finished second in the half-mile at the NCAA meet... Finished seventh in the 800m at the 1998 NCAA Championships.
Tara Chaplin
Sophomore
5-1
Montpelier, Vt. (U-32)
10,000m - 5,000m
2000... Three-time All-American... Competed in five NCAA Championship events as a freshman and will do so again this year... Won the Pac-10 5,000m title last year and will defend that crown this season... Ran 16:03.21i at the NCAA Indoor Championships where she finished fifth... Ran 16:11.73 at the Cardinal Invitational May 5 to earn an NCAA automatic qualifier for the outdoor meet... She also has the fastest 10,000m time in the conference, 33:17.39, from the Mt. SAC Relays, but she will not run that event at the conference meet... That time is also No. 2 in the nation... Her best 3,000m time, 9:48.41, came at the UA-ASU-NAU double-dual meet when she won the event a day after running a 5,000m at the Cardinal Invitational. Earned All-American honors in the 1999 outdoor 10,000m and indoor 5,000m. Finished fourth in both the 3,000m and 5,000m at the Pac-10 Championships... Ran a PR of 9:34.56, a provisional time, in the 3,000m, but will not advance to the NCAAs in that event.
Katrin Engelen
Junior
5-7
Dornstetten, Germany (Univ. of Hohenheim)
10,000m
2000... A first-time NCAA qualifier in the 10,000m... Ran a career-best time of 34:37.65 at the Stanford Invitational, which is a solid NCAA provisional qualifier... Ran 16:57.61 in the 5,000m at the Mt. SAC Relays... Finished fifth in the 10k at the Pac-10 Champinships.
Brianna Glenn
Sophomore
5-6
La Mirada, Calif. (La Mirada)
100m - 200m - Long Jump - 4x100m
2000... Two-time All-American... Sophomore sensation for the Wildcats, has NCAA automatic qualifying marks in three events and a provisional qualifier in two others... Ran 11.24w to win the 100m title at the Texas Relays, and ran 22.97w a week later at the UTEP Invitational... Also recorded an NCAA auto mark in the long jump with a leap of 21-2 (6.47m) at the UA-ASU-NAU double-dual meet... Set a school record in the long jump, as well as one in the 100m with a wind-legal time of 11.43 in the Pac-10 semifinals... Finished third in the 100m (11.30w), 200m (23.23w) and long jump 20-9w/6.32) at the Pac-10 Championships... Won Pac-10 Women's Field Athlete of the Week honors after the in-state meet, and was Pac-10 Women's Track Athlete of the Week honors following the Texas Relays... Member of the school record setting 4x100m relay team at the same meet... Triple jumped 41-5 (12.64m) at the same meet, No. 3 all-time at UA... Finished 5th in the 60m and 10th in the long jump at the 2000 NCAA Indoor Championships, earning All-America honors in both... Named MPSF Women's Indoor Athlete of the Year after winning the conference's 55m title, finishing second in the 200m and third in both the long and triple jumps.
Carolyn Jackson
Senior
5-6
Tucson, Ariz. (Salpointe Catholic)
400m - 4x100m
2000...Four-time All-American... Won the Pac-10 Championship in the 400m, running 52.23, more than a full second ahead of the second place finisher and her top time of the season... It's No. 5 in the nation entering the national meet... Ran 52.46 at the UA-ASU-NAU double-dual meet... Was Pac-10 Women's Track Athlete of the Week following that meet where she also ran the anchor leg of the school record setting 4x100m relay team... Finished second in the Pac-10 as a sophomore and third as a freshman... Last season, she entered the meet with the top time in the conference, 52.10, but suffered a severe hamstring injury in the semifinals when she was easily leading that heat... Came back to finish ninth at the NCAA meet after finishing fifth in 1998.
Andrea Neary
Junior
5-10
Flagstaff, Ariz. (Flagstaff)
Pole Vault
2000... Set a school record in the pole vault this season with a clearance of 13-1 (4.00m), and NCAA automatic qualifier... Her mark is also No. 6 in Pac-10 history... Neary is also an accomplished student in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA in physiology... 1999 and 2000 CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII... Named 2000 Raytheon Women of the Year for her work on in the classroom and athletically... Has improved dramatically since her season-best clearance was 10-4/3.15m as a freshman in 1998.put this season for the Wildcats... Her throw of 159-6/48.62m in the discus at the Arizona Elite Classic is No. 8 in school history, while her shot put mark of 47-5 (14.46m) at the UC-San Diego Open is No. 7 on the all-time lists... She also had an indoor shot put mark of 48-5 (14.76m)... Also had the team's No. 2 hammer throw of the season, 168-4/51.32m, at the Jim Click Shootout.
Nicole Thomas
Senior
5-8
Los Angeles, Calif. (Morningside)
400m Hurdles - 4x100m - 4x400m
2000... Ran a PR (57.77) and No. 4 time in school history to win the 400m hurdles at the UA-ASU-NAU double-dual meet... Finished second in the event at the Pac-10 Championships... Prior to that race, she ran a then-PR of 58.25 at the Arizona Elite Classic... Also ran 13.90 in the 100m high hurdles.
Pronunciation Guide
Women
Katrin Engelen CAT-rin ENGLEN
Men
Jeff Dutoit DO-toyt
Ola Larsen UH-la
Richard Legarra Leh-GAR-a
Esko Mikkola ESKO Me-COLA
Patrick Nduwimana n-DO-e-mon-a
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