Mighty LSU will sprint to its ninth indoor title, with Dowdie (534)leading the way. Eric Kane/NCAA Photos

1. LSU
With 10 All-Americas, the Lady Tigers should bring home their ninth team title. Peta-Gaye Dowdie won the indoor 200 meters last year and has the fastest time at 60m among returning sprinters, and senior Claudine Williams, the reigning outdoor champ at 800, aims for her first indoor title.

2. TEXAS
The graduation of three runners with at least 10 All-America honors apiece will keep the Longhorns (also the outdoor queens) from repeating as indoor champs. Senior Erin Aldrich, a two-time defending indoor high jump champ (and volleyball star), is a clear favorite again.

3. UCLA
The Bruins have never emphasized indoors, but coach Jeanette Bolden says that will change this year. Seilala Sua was third in the shot and 20-pound weight throw last season; sophomore Tracy O'Hara and junior Erica Hoernig are among the top collegiate pole vaulters.

4. SMU
Finnish junior Tytti Reho finished third in the '99 indoor 800, but she lowered her personal record to 2:01.29 over the summer and should challenge LSU's Claudine Williams for the title.

5. VILLANOVA
The Wildcats have superb distance runners coached by Irish mile great Marcus O'Sullivan. Fifth-year senior Carrie Tollefson has four national titles, including last season's indoor 3K.

6. BYU
Eight of nine WAC champions are back for the Cougars, including sophomore Tara Rohatinsky, who last year was second in the NCAA outdoor 10,000 and will run the 5K this winter.

7. FLORIDA
In a rebuilding year the Gators, fourth in the nation in '99, still have senior Yolanda Brown-Moore, fifth in last year's indoor 400.

8. GEORGETOWN
The Hoyas won last year's distance medley relay with Karina de Boer, Lisa Roder, Autumn Fogg and Carron Allen. All four are back.

9. WISCONSIN
The superb Badgers distance squad includes Erica Palmer, '99 Big Ten indoor, outdoor and cross- country freshman of the year.

10. SOUTH CAROLINA
The Barber twins, Mikele and Me'Lisa, put the fight in the Fighting Gamecocks. Mikele was on the U.S. 4Û400 relay team that won World University Games gold; Me'Lisa was a top recruit at 200 meters.

Hot Dates

March 10-11
NCAA championships: Division I, Fayetteville, Ark.; Division II, Boston; Division III, Bloomington, Ill.

Cybersources

www.trackandfieldnews.com
Official site of the sport's No. 1 magazine

www.usatf.org
USA Track & Field's official site

Division II

Abilene Christian ran away with last year's indoor crown and is the favorite to win its eighth straight title. Expect the Falcons of St. Augustine's to give the Wildcats a good run.

Division III