The Mountain “”T”” Invitational in Flagstaff tomorrow marks the starting point of the 2007 indoor season for several UA track and field athletes, but most of the team will not compete.

Ninety percent of the team will be off this weekend, said UA track and field head coach Fred Harvey, .

Many of the athletes scheduled to compete in Flagstaff have not been physically ready for the previous meets or had a mishap in an earlier meet, Harvey said.

“”It’s been tough. Last year I traveled to almost every meet,”” said junior sprinter Xiong Xuehan, who has missed the first two meets due to a back injury. “”This year has been much different,.””

Said junior sprinter Marcus Tyus, who is yet to compete this season because of personal reasons: “”Nobody wants to just practice all the time. We do this to compete.””

Senior thrower Adam Kuehl hasn’t thrown the shot put in almost a year because of an injury to his wrist. .

“”Last year at the (Pacific 10 Conference Championships in May) it was real frustrating to not be there,”” Kuehl said. “”Hopefully, I can get there this year and drop some bombs.””

Senior Troy Harris, who will participate tomorrow, was the highlight for the sprint team with his first-place finish in the 60-meters in Jan. 27’s Dan Dehart Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.

“”We definitely have a good core,”” Harvey said. “”Last year’s sprint team was very young, and they still placed third in the Pac-10 championships.””

Distance runners will not compete in the Invitational because the high altitude would hinder their chances of qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships, Harvey said, adding that none of the freshmen women will be compete either, practicing in Tucson instead.

– Justin Adler