NAIA TRACK AND FIELD : Azusa Pacific Men Go for Repeat Performance

The Azusa Pacific men’s track and field team will try to win its second consecutive NAIA title when its plays host to the men’s and women’s national championships today through Saturday.

At last year’s meet, the Cougars won on the strength of their field events. They have the same strategy this year as they return performers such as Tage Peterson in the pentathlon, Dave Pope in the decathlon, Rene Bustamante in the shotput, Kevin Wiley in the long jump, Hong Li in the triple jump and Tim Cockrell in the polevault.

Azusa Pacific, which has won 10 of the last 12 NAIA outdoor titles, will face its toughest challenge from Lubbock Christian of Texas, which won the cross-country championships and the NAIA indoor championships this season. Also, Central State of Ohio--last year’s runner-up--should be a strong contender.

Central State, the defending women’s champion, will be challenged by Southern University of New Orleans, this year’s indoor champion.

The meet will start at 1:30 p.m. today. Friday’s and Saturday’s events start at 1 p.m. except for the marathon, which starts at 5:15 a.m. on Saturday.