IU ends 2-week break at Penn Relays

After a week-long hiatus, the men's track team returns to action this weekend at the Penn Relays. In its 112th consecutive year, the event boasts competitors from across the nation, including Louisiana State University, the University of Michigan and Cornell University. More than 425 races will be run during approximately 33 hours of competition beginning on Thursday and culminating on Saturday.\nThus far, six athletes and the 4x400 meter relay team have met NCAA regional-qualifying marks in their respective fields. The list includes freshman Jeff Coover in the pole vault, junior David Neville in both the 200 and 400-meter runs, junior Stephanos Ioannou in the 100-meter hurdles and sophomore Ryan Smith in the 400-meter hurdles. \nFor the throwers, senior Ryan Ketchum has followed up an exceptional indoor season in which he was named to the All Big-Ten first team by qualifying in two events for the outdoor season. He attained the regional-qualifying standard in the shot put with a 17.97 meter heave, while meeting the standard in the weight throw with a mark of 54.33 meters.\nLikewise, senior Will Fleming met the NCAA regional standard the first weekend of the outdoor season and has since duplicated the feat. His throw of 62.20 meters in the weight throw at the Sea Ray Relays two weeks ago marked his best outing this year. \n"It is nice to get the regional marks out of the way so I can just focus on competing," Fleming said. "Ultimately, this year's goal is to win Big Ten's (championships) and set the Big ten record held by former IU thrower Adam Judge."\nGiven the level of competition offered by the Penn Relays, some momentous performances are expected by IU athletes this weekend, especially with the time off the Hoosiers have had.\n"With meets every week it seems like there is less and less time to train and more time spent traveling," Fleming said. "I think that a week off from a meet really affords the team the chance to focus their effort towards our upcoming championship season"