After a successful opening season meet last weekend in Flagstaff, where three Wildcats earned automatic qualifications to the NCAA Indoor Championships, the UA Track & Field teams look to continue their hot streak at the New Mexico Cherry and Silver Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., this Saturday.

The Wildcats started the season off on a positive note and are confident in their abilities to continue impressing people. However, the team is not taking the upcoming meet lightly.

“”This meet is definitely important and we have to keep going as the season continues,”” said junior pole vaulter Gabriella Duclos, one of the three athletes to earn qualifications to the Indoor Championship.

It’s important for the team to continue rolling, especially early on in the season. While this is not the only thing on the athletes’ minds, it is definitely something they are thinking about.

“”This meet is extremely important because the level of competition will be at a different level than our first meet. We really have to compete,”” said senior runner Chris Titsworth.

According to Duclos, in order for the team to continue doing well, the team’s top performers have to consistently show leadership.

“”The fact that three of us earned qualification is good for the freshmen because they see that we don’t need to wait until the last minute to set standards,”” Duclos said. “”We got started right away, and every meet is important, so we have to keep going out there and competing.””

In the past week, the Wildcats have been working on technical issues to get ready for the upcoming meet.

“”There are some people whose technique is not there yet, which is normal, but it’s a sign it’s time to put it together,”” Duclos said, adding how important it is for the team to become one and really bond.

Although it is very early on in the season, both Duclos and Titsworth like the team’s chances of making it to the NCAA Championships in June, but realize it’s something they are going to have to work for.

“”It’s really about every individual having to push themselves,”” Duclos said. “”We can’t have one person have a good performance and bring the whole team Nationals. We all have to work hard.””

Titsworth added: “”I think we have a good chance at having a lot of athletes competing this year. We are a fairly young team overall, but our elders have set the bar high.””