Drake Relays to challenge Hoosiers

Many coaches and athletes believe in the old adage that the only way to become better is to face competition that is better. \nThe men's track team will have that opportunity as it heads south to Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday for the Drake Relays. \nThe Relays boast 31 past NCAA champions and a handful of Olympic alternates and qualifiers. \nThe Hoosiers said they won't let the tough competition bring them down, saying they plan to go into this meet with the usual intensity.\nSophomore Pat Miller, who set a personal record in the javelin Saturday, looks to continue the momentum. \n"Now that I've (set personal records) by that much, I hope to take it into next weekend," Miller said. "I think I can come out with a throw just like that as long as I keep up my intensity. I think (senior) Brian Bowman and I can place really high." \nMiller's throw Saturday of 209 feet, 5 inches was a career best and moved him into third on IU's record list.\nThis season has been a solid one for Miller. Upon placing 10th in the javelin last year at the Big Ten Tournament, Miller said he came into this year with something to prove. \n"My goal this year was to throw 200 feet, so now that I have accomplished that, I would like to get the school record since it is only 8 feet away," Miller said. "Really, my goal for the season is to place high in the Big Ten meet and do well at NCAAs."\nMiller was not the only athlete to set a personal record Saturday. And he wasn't even the only thrower to set a record. \nSophomore Mike Minton set a personal record in the shot put, and missed his personal best by just three inches in the discus. Minton won both events. \n"I had three consistent throws in the shot put, but in the discus, I need to relax, just get out there and throw as far as I know I can," Minton said. "It was just a little disappointing because it was such a perfect day, and I didn't throw as far as I could."\nMinton and Miller said they look forward to the competition and anticipate doing well. \n"I've looked at the entries, and there is going to be great competition," Minton said. "The shot put is loaded up, and so is the discus, so I would like to go there and try to win. Hopefully, I will throw far enough that I can go to nationals." \nThe competition includes throwers from Big Ten rivals Iowa and Wisconsin and in-state foe Indiana State. \nAdding to the intensity will be IU coach Marshall Goss' role at the meet. The third-year coach will be an official. He said that won't make him forget where his top priority lies. \n"The team is growing and young kids are getting better and that is really exciting," Goss said. "We have some kids at the top doing some nice leadership and that makes us a much better team." Goss said he realizes the Hoosiers have faced some tough competition so far, but this will probably be the toughest. \n"It's one of the two biggest premier meets during the year," Goss said. "We've had competition a lot this year, but this will be at another level, a higher level than the Sea Ray Relays"