Locals eye track crowns at NCAAs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Utah's finest from the collegiate track and field ranks are in northern California this week for the 2007 edition of the NCAA Division I Outdoor track and field championships in Sacramento.

Each of Utah's five Division I universities is represented in the four-day meet, which runs Wednesday morning through Saturday afternoon at Sacramento State University.

BYU fields the largest contingent from Utah, as 17 Cougars made the trip in search of top-10 team finishes in the men's and women's competitions.

For BYU's men, a pair of title hopefuls lead the way. Seniors Josh Rohatinsky and Niklas Arrhenius are the second-ranked athletes in their events, the 10,000-meter run and the discus throw, respectively.

Arrhenius already unleashed a throw three weeks ago that would place him at the top of the rankings, but the throw came after the deadline for NCAA qualifying standards. Rohatinsky, the 2006 NCAA cross-country national champion, will be gunning to take down Oregon's Galen Rupp, the top seed in the 10,000.

BYU is also strong in the high jump, with All-American David Pendergrass leading the way and junior Bryce Bergen looking to make some noise. The Cougars have junior Matt Weirich competing in the pole vault, with junior Chandler Goodwin racing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Justin Palmer should score well for the Cougars in the decathlon, boasting the No. 7 seed heading into competition.

The Cougar women brought nine athletes to Sacramento, with sophomore Whitney McDonald gunning for a win in the 10,000. Orem natives Michelle Turner and Heidi Magill could score in the 800- and 1,500-meter runs, respectively. Jennifer Grossarth will compete in the 400-meter hurdles, with Mindy Neeley a favorite to score well in the long jump. Kelly Furr and Ashley McCallister are qualified in the pole vault. Sophomore Amy Fowler returns in the steeplechase, where she placed seventh a year ago.

She is joined by Provo native Kassi Andersen, a former national champion and NCAA championship meet-record holder in the event.

The favorite in the women's steeplechase, however, hails from Weber State.

The Wildcats' Lindsey Anderson holds the top seed, having broken the collegiate record earlier this season. Sariah Long and Heidi Bouwhuis are also looking to score. Weber's Jamie Stubbs (1,500) is the only other competitor for the Wildcat women, while the men have Brad Osguthorpe in the 800 and David Olson as one of the top seeds in the steeplechase.