Split team heads to Nebraska for meet

The men's track team will compete in two different meets this weekend. The bulk of the team will compete at Nebraska in a quadrangular meet, and IU distance runners with a shot at qualifying for the NCAA regional will travel to California to compete in the Mt. SAC Relays -- a traditional gathering place for top-flight distance competition. \n"We're going to travel just about everyone this weekend," said IU coach Randy Heisler. "The meet out at Mt. SAC is one where our distance athletes can get some good competition and hopefully post some qualifying times."\nAthletes taking a shot at qualifying or running fast times at Mt. SAC include junior 800-meter specialists Rodney and Russell Hollis, senior 1500-meter specialist Nathan Purcell, sophomore Stephen Haas and senior All-American Chris Powers. \n"I had wanted to take a crack at the 10K," said Powers, whose season-best 14:00 5K mark ranks him ninth, nationally. "But if I want to be sure I get into NCAA's, I need to run faster in the 5K, and Mt. SAC is always fast."\nSophomore NCAA mile champion and current NCAA 1500-meter leader Sean Jefferson will look to better his personal best of 3:42. \n"Mt. SAC usually has a solid field for the 1,500," said Jefferson. "Basically what I need is a time that will qualify me for the Olympic Trials. I'm close, but faster can't hurt."\nMeanwhile, at Nebraska, national triple-jump leader Aarik Wilson will be back in action, looking to remain undefeated this outdoor season. He and freshman sprinter David Neville, fresh off a personal best in the 400-meters at the Indiana Relays, will lead the Hoosier attack. \n"The goal for Aarik is to make the Olympic team, and we're therefore going to be careful with his schedule," Heisler said. "For David, he's young, and he needs to race. He needs the experience."\nLikely to face stiff competition is junior thrower Ryan Ketchum, who has qualified for the NCAA regional meet in both the shot put and discus and is currently ranked 12th nationally in the shot put. \n"We're still in the training phase of the season," Heisler said.\n-- Contact staff writer Rob DeWitte at rdewitte@indiana.edu.