April 3, 2012

TUCSON - The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) released the first regional poll of the year, as well as the latest national poll. In the national poll, the UA men dropped one spot to 12th while the women climbed four spots to No. 14. In the NCAA West Region, the men sit at No. 5 and the women are second.

In the men's national poll, Arizona is joined by four other Pac-12 schools. Southern California moved up five spots to No. 8, Arizona State climbed 10 spots to No. 10, Oregon stayed at 16th and Stanford fell two spots to 19th. In the west region, the Pac-12 has nine teams in the top 15. Arizona State (No.1), UCLA (No.2), Oregon (No.3), Southern California (No. 4), Arizona (No. 5), Washington State (No. 6), California (No. 10), Washington (No. 12) and Stanford (No. 14). In the mountain region, Colorado sits at ninth.

Arizona is accompanied by four other Pac-12 schools in the women's national poll. Oregon remains at No. 1, Southern California dropped a spot to No. 4, Arizona State fell two spots to No. 17 and Stanford moved up one spot to 20th. In the west region, the Pac-12 also has nine teams in the top 15. Southern California (No. 1), Arizona (No. 2), Arizona State (No. 3), Stanford (No. 4), Oregon (No. 5), UCLA (No. 6), California (No. 9), Washington State (No. 10) and Washington (No. 15). In the mountain region, Utah is No. 3 and Colorado is fifth.

The UA men have four marks that currently sit in the top-10 in the country. Senior Stephen Sambu's 1,500 meters time of 3:43.56 sits at No. 2. Junior Edgar Rivera-Morales has the second-best high jump mark in the country, clearing 7-4.5 (2.25m). Junior Nick Ross is tied for the fourth spot with a clearance of 7-3.25 (2.22M). Freshman Jovon Cunningham's mark of 51-11.25 (15.83m) is the sixth-best triple jump mark in the country.

On the women's side, six Wildcats hold marks in the top 10. Senior Echos Blevins holds the fifth-best mark in the country, running 53.38 in the 400 meters. Sophomore Shapri Romero's time of 53.61 in the 400 meters sits at the No. 8 spot. Junior Georganne Moline's mark of 56.02, a school record, is the best time in the country for the 400-meter hurdles. The quartet of sophomore Tamara Pridgett, Blevins, senior Ariel Coleman and Moline have the sixth-best 4x400-meter relay time in the country, 3:34.37. Reigning NCAA Outdoor Champion junior Brigetta Barrett holds the best mark in the country, 6-4.25 (1.94m). Junior Alyssa Hasslen's mark of 58-1 in the shot put (17.70m) is the second-best mark in the country.

Arizona returns to the track this weekend at three different locations. The Stanford Invitational takes place in Palo Alto, Calif. on April 6-7. The Mesa Classic will be in Mesa, Ariz. on April 6 and the Sun Angel Classic will take place in Tempe, Ariz. on April 6-7.