IU to boast top-five ranking at Tyson Invitational

The IU track and field men’s squad has moved up in the national computer rankings, replacing the Oregon Ducks in the No. 5 spot.

The Hoosiers will now look to stay poised heading into the Tyson Invitational with their highest ranking since 2007.

With a few of IU’s more experienced athletes coming back after sitting out last week with rest, IU coach Ron Helmer said they can have success going into Arkansas.

“I hope to send a couple individuals to Arkansas and hopefully get some big, solid times,” Helmer said.

“We have to do a better job than we did last meet, and with some guys coming back from sitting out the (Meyo Invitational), I think we’ll be ready.”

Sophomore distance runner Zach Mayhew said having a teammate like sophomore Andy Bayer, who sat out the Meyo Invitational, is very exciting.

“It’s pretty amazing when you have somebody like Andy Bayer on your team who can do big things,” Mayhew said. “We have a lot of guys who can play together and who can do big things.”

Mayhew also said he has aspirations of his own, including clearing the national qualification mark in the 3,000-meters and hitting the auto mark of 7:54.00.

In addition to participating in the Tyson Invitational — which concludes Saturday — the squad will also compete in the two-day Hoosier Hills meet Friday and Saturday at the Gladstein Fieldhouse.