Divide and conquer.
The Arizona track and field team splits into travel groups New Mexico and Nebraska this weekend to add to its NCAA National Championship qualifier totals.
Wildcat sprinters are headed to the Devaney Center Indoor Track in Lincoln, Neb., while the jumpers and other multi-event athletes will be headed back to the Albuquerque Convention Center in New Mexico for the third time this season.
“”This is going to be a good quality meet for us,”” said head coach Fred Harvey. “”This week is going to be like a training block that we’re going through until Iowa (State Classic meet on Feb. 12).””
In Nebraska, the sprinters will be focused on their individual performances rather than the teams’ overall performance.
“”We’re still working on some race strategies and things that kept us from making provisional last week,”” said sprinting coach Francesca Green. “”But we should be ready for Iowa next week.””
The preparations include the canceling of some norms for the team. The women’s 4×400-meter won’t be running together in order to prepare for next week. Also, team results will be taking a back seat this weekend and individual results are in the forefront the Wildcats’ minds.
Freshman sprinter Nico Reaves plans to keep improving on his time in the 400m this weekend and earn a spot at nationals.
“”I think I can hit the provisional mark,”” Reaves said. “”I’ve been beating my personal best by at least a second every meet.””
He’s been able to do this all while still getting used to running indoor track for the first time.
“”The biggest thing I had to overcome was running on a banked track and getting used to the incline,”” Reaves said.
In Albuquerque, N.M., the lady high jumpers will once again be sprinting. Freshman Brigetta Barrett and senior Liz Patterson will be running the 200m while redshirt sophomore Courtney Hayes will still be jumping to qualify for nationals.
The men’s long jumpers and high jumpers have the weekend off to work on their form and to get them ready for next week’s big meet.
The distance runners will be staying home as well to get in some additional training for next week where they will be headed back to Seattle, Wash.
