Track Stars at Cal Next Weekend

Athletes from five national teams--Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States--will be involved in the two-day Foot Locker Summer Games and Pacific Conference Games next Saturday and Sunday at the University of California’s Edwards Stadium in Berkeley.

In addition to the 35-men and women national teams, the meet officials have put together eight invitational events, which are expected to draw most of the attention.

Joaquim Cruz, Olympic Games gold medalist, heads an 800 field that also includes Kenya’s Billy Konchellah, who ran one of the year’s fastest 800 meters at the ARCO-Coliseum meet. He ran 1:44.67 and finished second to compatriot Sammy Koskei, who was clocked at 1:44.63.

Cruz will make an attempt at Sebastian Coe’s world record of 1:41.73. The long-striding Brazilian came close last year with a time of 1:41.77.

Steve Scott, New Zealand’s John Walker and Ireland’s Ray Flynn head a strong field in the mile. Scott may be ready to try to break Jim Ryun’s long-standing 3:51.1 as the fastest mile ever run in the United States.

The pole vault field boasts the current American record-holder, Joe Dial of Oklahoma State, and the man whose record he broke, Mile Tully. Also entered in the pole vault is Billy Olson, who was track and field’s first 19-foot vaulter indoors.

Valerie Brisco-Hooks will concentrate on the 400 meters, where she won one of her three Olympic gold medals. Sherri Howard, a gold medalist on the victorious 1,600-meter Olympic relay team, is expected to provide strong competition.

In the men’s 400 meters, Innocent Egbunike of Nigeria and Azusa Pacific, whose 44.61 at the ARCO meet was the year’s fastest 400, faces Darrell Robinson.

ESPN will carry meet highlights Sunday at 5 p.m.