NCAA TRACK AND FIELD : UCLA Tries for Sweep of Men’s, Women’s Titles Starting Today

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. —  UCLA, which has not won an NCAA outdoor track and field title in seven years, is a threat to win both the men’s and women’s team championships this week at Tennessee’s Tom Black Track after sweeping the Pacific 10 Conference championships two weeks ago.

Led by national leaders Ato Boldon, with the fastest mark in the 100 (10.01 seconds wind-aided) and 200 meters (20.08), and John Godina, with the best marks in the shotput (71 feet 4 3/4 inches) and discus (213-9), the Bruin men, who last won the title in 1988, are expected to challenge three-time champion Arkansas.

The Bruin women, who have not won a team title since 1983, will be led by high jumper Amy Acuff, the collegiate record-holder at 6-6; shotputter Valeyta Althouse, the American collegiate record holder at 61-10 1/4; discus thrower Dawn Dumble, the national leader at 199-9, and distance runner Karen Hecox, the defending national champion in the 1,500.

Louisiana State is again one of the favorites in the women’s competition, along with Georgia, which defeated the Tigers in the Southeastern Conference championships.

The four-day meet will begin today with the first five events of the decathlon and preliminary heats in several events, including the 200 and 800 meters. Finals will be held in the women’s javelin and the men’s 10,000, long jump, discus and hammer throw.