Thompson, Wysocki Head Irvine Meet

Daley Thompson, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Ruth Wysocki, a 1984 U.S. Olympian, are two of the many world-class athletes entered in this weekend’s two-day Irvine Invitational at UC Irvine.

Today’s women’s division begins with field events at 10 a.m., and the first running event--the 400-meter relay--is slated for noon. Sunday’s men’s division also starts with field events at 10 a.m., with the 3,000-meter steeplechase at noon.

Thompson, a citizen of Great Britain, is a three-time Olympic decathlete and holds the world record in the event with 8,847 points. Thompson will compete along with American hurdle great Tonie Campbell in the men’s 100-meter dash.

Wysocki is expected to run in the 1,500 meters and may run in the 800 meters as well. The 1,500-meter field includes Kim Gallagher of the Los Angeles Track Club, Gladees Prieur of the Santa Monica Track Club and Judy McLaughlin and Buffy Rabbitt of UC Irvine.

Alonzo Babers, a member of the Olympic 1,600-meter relay team that won a gold medal in 1984, will compete in the 200 and 400 meters. Nigeria’s Innocent Egbunke will compete in the 800 meters.

In the women’s 800 meters, Regina Jacobs, a former All-American from Stanford, leads a strong field, including Darcy Arreola of Cal State Northridge and Kerri Zaleski of Cal State Long Beach.

Bonnie Dasse, a Costa Mesa resident who competes for Nike Coast, tops the women’s shotput entrants. Dasse recorded a career-best 63 feet (No. 2 in the nation) last Sunday at the Mt. SAC Relays.

Mike Tully, with a best of 19-1, and Brazil’s Tom Hintinhaus headline the pole vault, which includes six vaulters who have gone over 18 feet. In the men’s javelin, Finland’s Seppo Raty, who has thrown 274-1, tops a field that includes countryman Yuuki Hanie (253-0).

Also competing for Finland is Tuija Helander, who is ranked sixth in the world in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.

Other top entrants include: high jumper Rita Graves, a former All-American from Kansas State; 100-meter hurdlers Kim Hagger of Great Britain and Pam Page of the Los Angeles Track Club, and American shotputter Mike Bell.

Tickets are, per day, $3 for adults and $1.50 for students with identification.