Arreola to Compete in Sunkist Women’s Mile

Darcy Arreola, coming off a disappointing 1992 season, will compete in the women’s mile run in the Sunkist Invitational Feb. 20 at the Sports Arena.

Arreola, 24, was an NCAA champion in the 1,500 meters in 1991 while at Cal State Northridge.

She qualified for the U.S. team that competed in the World Championships that year, but was eliminated in a semifinal heat of the 1,500 in the 1992 U.S. Olympic trials.

Last month, in an attempt to regain her 1991 form, she moved to Eugene, Ore., to train under noted coach Dick Brown.

“It’s awfully cold and it rains a whole lot,” Arreola said of Eugene. “But I want to train with Dick and try living up here to see how I like it.”

Mary Slaney, the U.S. indoor record holder in the mile (4 minutes 20.5 seconds), and defending Sunkist champion Suzy Hamilton are the leading entries in the event.

Arreola, who competes for Nike Coast Athletics, finished fourth in the mile in last year’s Sunkist meet behind Hamilton, Alisa Harvey-Hill and Shelly Steely.