Eight schools seek to dethrone UCLA at the 18th annual women’s Pacific-10 Conference Track and Field Championships in Tucson, Ariz, on Thursday. The Bruins are the early favorites heading into the event, along with a contingent of California schools, including Stanford and Southern California.

No. 1 UCLA
The Bruins hold the Pac-10’s top marks in 11 events this season. Sophomore Chelsea Johnson set a new conference women’s pole vault record at 15 feet, breaking the old mark of 14.8 by Oregon’s Becky Holliday set in 2003.
Junior Monique Henderson has scored the league’s best times in the 200 meters (22.71 seconds) and 400 meters (51.20).

No. 10 Stanford
The Cardinal will depend on youth and strength to score well in the distance events.
Second-year Alicia Craig leads the pack after setting a new collegiate record in the 10,000 meters (32:19.17) and also holds the conference’s top time in the 5,000 meters at 15:31.15.

No. 14 USC
The sprint events are the strengths of the Trojans, headed by freshman Virginia Powell in the 100 meters (11.39 seconds) and first-year Dominique Dorsey in the 200 meters (23.70 seconds).
Junior Inga Stasiulionyte, the 2001 NCAA Javelin Champion and two-time runner up, is the defending Pac-10 Champion in the event in which she threw 182-4 inches last season.

No. 21 California
This season is a historic year for the Golden Bears. Five school records have been broken so far.
Sophomore Antonette Carter leads the squad in the 100 meters (11.53 seconds) and 200 meters (23.59 seconds).

No. 23 Oregon
The Ducks have surpassed expectations under new head coach Martin Smith. Despite recruitment being scaled back the past couple of years, Oregon won its only team-scoring meet at the Pepsi Team Invitational, a meet in which conference foe Washington competed.

Arizona State
The Sun Devils currently lead the conference championships after Jacquelyn Johnson triumphed in the heptathlon last weekend. Her score of 5,603 points has earned her an automatic berth into the NCAA Championships, scheduled to start June 9. She also is the first Sun Devil heptathlete to win the event.

Washington
Youth will also be relied upon to score for the Huskies. Freshman Dallon Williams is the leader for the squad in the 3,000 meter steeplechase (10:41.78) and the 5,000 meters (16:41.19).
Freshman Ashley Lodree has posted an impressive time in the 100 meter hurdles at 13.39 seconds.

Arizona
The Wildcats are led by junior Sharifa Jones, who is their top runner in the 100 meter hurdles (13.13 seconds) and top long jumper at 20-10.

Washington State
Jump events are the strength of the Cougars. Sophomore Robin Mikesh and senior Stephanie Jaroos are the team’s top high jumpers after clearing at least 5-8 this season.