TUCSON, Ariz. ?- The University of Arizona’s men’s and women’s track and field teams completed a four-meet homestand with the Arizona International on Saturday. Several Wildcats hit a number of personal bests en route to 13 NCAA Regional-qualifying performances.
Sophomore Nikki Martin led the way in the women’s sprints. Martin finished second in the 100 meters with a time of 11.58 seconds, qualifying for the NCAA West Regional in Eugene, Ore. in May.
Junior Jason Heard was the top Wildcat finisher in the men’s 100 meters, finishing third in 10.78 seconds. In the 400 meters, sophomore Daniel Cook led Arizona with a fourth-place finish, clocking a time of 49.03 seconds.
The Arizona men swept the top three places in the 110-meter hurdles. Junior Jeff Hunter led the way, winning with a regional-qualifying time of 14.18 seconds. Cook was second in 14.22 seconds, also qualifying for the NCAA West Regional. Sophomore Jake Arnold rounded out the top three with a time of 14.86 seconds.
The Wildcat women also swept the top three places in the 100-meter hurdles. Scarborough won in 14.35 seconds. Sophomore Jennifer Whitlock was second in 14.48 seconds, followed by freshman Jeanine Dancy in third with a time of 15.28 seconds.
In the women’s 400 meters, junior Donnisha Sanford finished runner-up to Arizona State’s Cassandra Reed. Sanford clocked a time of 56.07. Senior Lindsay Scarborough was not far behind in third with a time of 57.16 seconds.
In the men’s 800 meters, junior Jonah Maiyo claimed the victory in 1:52.39. Sophomore Kenny Frank was second in 1:52.81. Senior Jin Daikoku won the 1,500 meters in 3:56.18.
Junior Amber Steen won the 800 meters in 2:13.57. Wildcat freshman Angelina Cabrera was second, while senior Gina Mazzone finished fourth.
The Wildcat women swept the top three places in the 100-meter hurdles. Scarborough won in 14.35 seconds. Sophomore Jennifer Whitlock was second in 14.48 seconds, followed by freshman Jeanine Dancy in third with a time of 15.28 seconds.
Freshman Mohamed Trafeh claimed the individual title in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:29.87. Maiyo was second, followed by sophomore Ryan Ludwig in third. Freshman Shannon Durkin was the top Wildcat finisher in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing third. Junior Jenn Ford was fourth overall.
Junior Kelli Burton was third in the shot put with a NCAA Regional-qualifying throw of 51 feet, 11 ?ľ inches (15.84m). Senior Ilona Rutjes was fourth with a toss of 50-10 ?ľ (15.51m). Freshman Megan Howard was sixth. The top seven finishers in the women’s shot put all hit NCAA Regional-qualifying marks.
In the men’s shot put, sophomore Adam Kuehl was second with a throw of 59 feet, 3 inches (18.06m), which qualifies him for the NCAA regional competition. Junior Sean Shields finished runner-up in the discus with a toss of 181 feet, 5 inches (55.29m), another regional qualifier for the Wildcats.
Rutjes won the discus with a regional-qualifying throw of 181 feet, 1 inch (55.19m). Sophomore Rachel Varner was fifth with a throw of 170 feet, 4 inches (51.91m), which was also a regional qualifier.
Freshman Andrew Rademacher won the men’s pole vault with a clearance of 16 feet, 6 ?ľ inches (5.05m). Senior Kevin Opalka was second with the same height. Junior Sam Jacobson rounded out the top three at 16 feet, ?ľ inch (4.90m). Sophomore Rebecca Gausepohl placed third in the women’s vault.
The Wildcat track and field teams will be on the road for the next six weekends. Arizona will send split squads to three meets next weekend, including the Texas Relays (Austin, Tex.), the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational (Westwood, Calif.), and the Mesa Invitational (Mesa, Ariz.).
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