The Illinois State mens and womens track and field teams open the indoor season on Friday as they host the Early Bird Classic at Horton Field House.
The 35-lb. weight throw starts the meet at 2:30 while running events and throwing finals begin at 5:00.
I cannot wait to see the kids go out and do their thing on Friday, first-year head coach Jeff Pigg said. Putting on your game face and going as fast as you can, as high as you can or as far as you can brings out big stuff in people.
Missouri Valley Conference foe Indiana State, along with Eastern Illinois, University of Indianapolis, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Florissant Valley and Spoon River Community College make up the seven-team field.
Indiana State and Eastern are both very good teams, Pigg said. It will be a different setting and will serve as a test to see how weve been doing this fall. Some cases will have positive results while others will get a wake-up call.
Leading the mens team are all-American Christian Goy, Mark Walcott, Mark Reed, and Alfie Gordillo.
All-Americans Sam Serrano and Kathrine Nielsen, who finished eighth in the heptathlon at the NCAA Championships, along with Stacia Beste, and Nicole Blow are top returners for the womens squad.
Every time we compete this season were going to give it everything we have, Pigg added. Were in the first phase of training and focusing for the conference championship. We plan on really lighting it up in February.
