Men's race offers close competition

Practicing for hours each day and working to become a champion is not the only thing that the 33 teams competing for the men's Little 500 title have in common. Because the men's times in Individual Time Trials (ITT) almost mirror one another, this race is expected to be close. \nITT had 45 out of 123 riders finish within 10 seconds of each other, as opposed to the 25 in close contention last year. With so many members of the teams representing one of the top 45 spots, anything can happen on race day.\n"The field is full of a lot of great riders this year," senior Phi Gamma Delta rider Michael Nierengarten said. "The teams are taking things more competitively because most are getting better and more competitive than in past years. It's a great thing and tough race, but everyone wants to see that, and the fans want to see it.\n"It should be a great time."\nThe excitement of the race doesn't end with the close competition the field has to offer. Each team's goals are the same: win. But having a leg up on the competition is one way to ensure you'll be a top contender, and Phi Delta Theta has the best chance at that. \nSaturday, the defending champions will sport yellow jerseys, signifying their victory over Teter last year. Defend their title appears to be an attainable prospect for the Phi Delts. The men, who have three returning riders, claimed first place in qualifications and third in the overall Little 5 series. Senior Matt Marketti placed second in ITT and first in Miss-N-Out. The other Phi Delt riders placed in the top 30 of ITT, senior Ryan Hamilton placed fifth in Miss-N-Out and junior Matt Ewing made it to the semifinals. \nThe tradition and honor of wearing the yellow jersey hasn't fazed the team. Their success has grown, but the riders remain humble and modest when reminded of their high status.\n"One of the things with us is that we have a lot of friends on the track," Marketti said. "They know who we are, but it's more of a social thing, not them knowing us because of our place. It doesn't matter what color jersey you have.\nThe rest of the top contenders for first place fall in close after Phi Delts. Alex Ihnen, IU Student Foundation assistant director and Little 500 coordinator, said this year's competition is wide open and anything can happen.\n"It just goes on and on. There are a lot of teams that can do well."\nAnother team that has a golden opportunity to do well is Phi Gamma Delta. Returning two riders from last year, the team is happy with its second-place finish in qualifications after a hard race last year, when wrecks hurt the team after it held the pole position after qualifications. The team finished 13th in the 2001 race.\n"Coming in in the second-place spot, it's a great place for us to be in," Nierengarten said. "We are excited and glad to be in that position."\nThe third piece of the leading row is added when Team Major Taylor enters the equation. The all-rookie team, made up of four freshmen, enters the race without experience on the Little 500 track but bundles of experience from outside Bloomington. Team captain, Josh Weir, has ridden in numerous national races and competed in Olympics trials at one time.\nDespite their lack of Little 500 experience, the riders plan on doing well Saturday. \n"In terms of lack of experience at Little 500, I don't think it'll affect us that much, and it won't hold us back from giving 110 percent," Kurtis Bishop said. \nThe fourth team in the mix for the top spot is first-year independent team, the Corleones. The team has two veteran riders and two rookies and showed its strength throughout the series events. The team won the Little 500 series by 21 points. \nThe Corleones placed fourth in qualifications, and senior Luke Isenbarger, one of the team's rookies, won ITT with a time of 2.25.00. The remainder of the team finished in sixth, seventh and eighth. Continuing their reign of the series, Isenbarger finished second in Miss-N-Out, with the rest of the riders making it to the semifinals. \nThe obvious pressure the Corleones have on their shoulders hasn't made a mark on their preparation.\n"I don't think we feel it, but there is pressure," senior Dan Burns said. "Winning the series events helps with the rookies, Luke and Clint (Seal), because it gives them confidence. Overall though it's going to be close competition and the deepest field it has been for awhile, which is good for the race and makes things very entertaining.\n"It's all about having fun"