Arizona menโs track athletes rank third in the West and 22nd in the nation. But that wonโt mean a thing if they donโt swing into their peak performances this weekend at the Pac-12 Track and Field Championships at Stanford.
It would be easy if Arizona coach Fred Harvey could just say the magic word and all of his athletes would run, jump or throw at their career-best performances. Alas, no such word exists.
The one word that Harvey does use to motivate his athletes is โfocus.โ But focusing โis hard this time of year,โ he said. The athletes have been taking final exams in the last week and โwith conference championships coming up, everything is hyped.โ
โThe biggest thing we can do as coaches,โ he said, โis to make sure that we put people in the most comfortable situation possible.โ
The competition will feature some of the nationโs best athletes, including those from No. 9 USC, No 11 Oregon, No. 22 Arizona and No. 23 Stanford. On the womenโs side, Oregon is No. 2, USC is No. 3, ASU No. 13 and UCLA No. 20.
The meet will air on Pac-12 Arizona on Saturday starting at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 4:30.
Arizona has three male athletes โ Jordan Geist in the shot put, Turner Washington in the discus and Bryant OโGeorgia in the high jump โ who each rank No. 1 in the Pac 12. The Wildcats also have two runners whoโve won past conference championships: Collins Kibet in the 800-meter run and Bailey Roth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
For the menโs team to finish in the top three this weekend, all five ideally should compete at, or improve, their personal records.
Theyโll also need a strong supporting cast with teammates placing in the top eight spots. First place gets 10 points, second gets eight and the following places get 6-5-4-3-2-1.
The Wildcats have another runner with the top mark in the conference โ Carlos Villarreal in the 800 meters. But UA coaches have entered him in the 1,500 meters, hoping he can win or place high in that event while teammate Kibet takes a shot at first place in the 800. Kibet won the 800 two years ago but sat out last year with health issues.
Roth won the Pac 12 steeplechase last year in 8:39.83. So far this year, his best time is 16 seconds slower. Yet, Harvey says Roth is capable of coming up with a big race, and heโs challenging him to win the event for a second year.
UA coaches are counting on these athletes to place high in their events:
Jordan Geist: The freshman from western Pennsylvania leads the Pac-12 and NCAA in the shot put. Heโs also second in the Pac 12 discus and could score points in the hammer throw.
Turner Washington: The freshman, a Canyon del Oro graduate, tops the conferenceโs discus throwers at 185-4 with Geist second at 183-8. Theyโll have to hold off McKay Johnson of California, whose throws rank just behind them.
Grayson Fleming: The junior thrower from Cheyenne, Wyo., sits at No. 4 in the Pac-12 hammer throw and is also entered in the discus.
Carlos Villarreal: A redshirt sophomore from Rio Rico, Villarreal is known for his strong finishing kick. Currently listed at No. 3 in the conferenceโs 1,500 meters, heโll challenge the two top Oregon runners.
Collins Kibet: Harvey says the Kenyan-born senior has recovered from health issues and is expected to duel with USCโs Robert Ford for first place.
Tyrell Johnson: The UA football star from Ft. Myers, Fla. has the Pac-12โs fifth fastest time in the 100-meter dashโ10.4โand heโll use his explosive start to lead off the Cats 400-meter relay team.
Maj Williams: The sprinter from Scottsdale has had an outstanding freshman year, ranking No. 4 in the conference at 400 meters and No. 4 in the 200. He also runs a 100-meter leg on the 400-meter relay team and a 400-meter leg in the 1,600 relay.
Zakee Washington: The Las Vegas sophomore ranks behind Williams at No. 5 at 400 meters and is No. 8 at 200 meters. Heโs also a key member of the 1,600 relay.
Maksims Sincukovs: The freshman from Latvia is listed third among conference 400-meter hurdlers. Heโll look to upset one or both USC runners ranked above him. He also carries the baton in the 1,600-meter relay.
Bryant OโGeorgia: The junior from Phoenix has a conference-leading high jump of 7-3ยผ. He hasnโt competed since March 24 and will work to regain his form after dealing with muscle soreness.
Justice Summerset: The Mountain View High product, a returning All-American in the high jump, currently has the conferenceโs fourth best leap.
Myles Hawkins: From Tustin, Calif., Hawkins sits at No. 4 in the long jump but is capable of finishing higher at this meet.
Isaac Hing, Daniel Egbo and David Egbo: Hing, from Shanghai, and the Egbo brothers from Gilbert are key sprinters on the two relay teams.
