Hoosiers host Indiana Relays

IU track and field will play host to the Indiana Relays in its second of back-to-back meets at Gladstein Fieldhouse Friday and Saturday.

For the first time this season, the Hoosiers will compete in racing condition. They backed off their training this week in order to prepare for the toughest competition they’ve faced thus far, IU Coach Ron Helmer said.

Helmer said he made the change to assist his men’s distance group, who will headline the meet in the 1600 meter run.

“They train very hard — almost to a fault,” he said. “They need to have equal enthusiasm for rest, and that’s counterintuitive for guys who have really bought into what they’re doing.”

Led by alumni De’Sean Turner and Andrew Poore, the distance corps will be set to run sub-four minutes, a championship-qualifying time in the NCAA.

Competing in the 1600 meter are senior Robby Nierman, who holds the best mile time on the team at 4:02, and sophomore Matt Schwartzer, who was named this week’s Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week.

Schwartzer, who clocked the 13th-fastest time nationally in men’s 3,000 meter, said he still had fuel left in the tank when he crossed the finish line Saturday.

“Once we freshen up, I think I can go a little faster,” he said after the Gladstein Invitational.

Helmer said patience is the key to developing the hardest-working team he’s coached. With the freshest legs and highest fitness level they’ve had all season, the IU athletes are finally equipped to show their coach the spark he’s been searching for.

Sophomore Sarah Maxson is one IU athlete who has already provided a spark in the women’s high jump. Her 1.73 meter jump at the Gladstein Invite is second-best in the Big Ten Conference and one centimeter out of first.

“This is the first time I’ve been really comfortable with my jumps since being here,” Maxson said. “It’s a motivation to see myself at the top of the leader boards.”

Maxson says her motivation is entirely extrinsic. She attributes part of her success to working with Emma Kimoto, another IU alumna who has stuck around to train with her former teammates.

Helmer said having decorated graduates competing alongside talented youngsters is a strong motivator.

“They all traveled the same road that these guys are traveling, so their perspective being shared with frustrated athletes has great value,” he said. “Knowing they were involved with the same program, how could they not be inspired?”

Follow reporter Tori Ziege on Twitter @ToriZiege