IU hits road for 2nd dual meet of year

The IU women's track and field team is preparing to hit the road again in its second dual meet of the outdoor season.\nThe Hoosier squad will be forced to part ways with junior distance runner Jessica Gall, as she will be the only woman from IU competing in the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, Calif., today and Saturday. The rest of the team will be at the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tenn., during that time.\n"Traveling this weekend gives us a chance to compete against some even better teams than we had up here (in Bloomington) this weekend," said senior distance runner Kelly Siefker. "Going to Knoxville is a good thing because it gives our team a chance to check out the regional track."\nThis week's team practice had some familiar themes but also focused on very specific workouts for the Sea Ray Relays.\n"The focus has been getting us stronger and faster each week," said senior distance runner LaDonna Ray. "This week I've been doing some medium-paced workouts with a short recovery for my endurance. I've also been doing some fast-paced workouts as well for my speed." \nGall had a more relaxed practice schedule this week so she could rest for her trek to the Mt. Sac Relays, where she hopes to earn a special accolade.\n"We go all the way out to California in hopes of having both good weather and good competition, so the goal of this trip is to take advantage of that and hopefully qualify for nationals in the 10k," Gall said.\nThere is one main goal that Gall, at the Mr. Sac Relays, shares with the rest of her team heading to the Sea Ray Relay.\n"The goal for this meet is to qualify for regionals," Ray said. "This meet will help us to prepare for regionals and the NCAA Championships because most of these teams will be represented at both"