Lucky 6: IU sends athletes to tourneys

While freshman Ben Hubers might lack experience, he makes up for it in talent and determination. Hubers displayed both last weekend as he placed third in the 1500-meter run with a regional qualifying time of 3:45.71.\n“I found some fast runners and hung on with them,” \nhe said. \nThis weekend Hubers will compete in Palo Alto, Calif. at the Stanford Invite.\nAlthough Hubers was originally recruited to Indiana by former IU coach Robert Chapman, the Marietta, Ga. native said he has grown to love the team and its new coach \nas well. \nWith the weather conditions hopefully favorable and the high level of competition at the meet, it should make for fast times. \nLast year, junior Jordan Kyle ran a career-best of 14:03 in the 5000-meter run at the Stanford Invite. Hubers, who ran 14:51 in the event in high school, is hoping to go under 14 minutes when he steps onto the track \nFriday night.\nJoining him on the trip will be fellow freshman Cole Hardacre, a second team All-Big Ten honoree for cross country and senior \nBrennon Plotner. \nIn addition to the three athletes traveling west, the Hoosiers will also send three more south to the Texas Relays \nin Austin. \nSenior Abbie Stechschulte is already in Texas competing in the heptathlon. Stechschulte wrapped up the first day of competition Wednesday in third place after four events. Her best event of the day was the 100-meter dash, in which she set a personal-best time of 13.76 seconds. \nAlso traveling to the Lone Star State will be seniors Courtney Johnson and \nKyle Jenkins. \nJenkins will look to improve on his regional qualifying mark of 15.67 meters in the triple jump, which he set last weekend at the Alabama Relays, finishing second in the event. \n“I had some pretty good jumps,” he said. \nJenkins said he hopes the weather will be warm because last year a cold front came through Texas, leading to cool temperatures during the meet. \nThe All-American is also excited to have a special visitor in attendance to watch him compete in the triple jump on Saturday. Jenkins’ ‘Pops,’ as he affectionately called him, will make the trip from his home near Seattle to cheer on his son.\nAnother athlete on the track team that has done extremely well but won’t be traveling with the team this weekend is senior sprinter Marcus Thigpen. Thigpen was awarded Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week honors earlier in \nthe week. \nThigpen competed in the Alabama Relays last weekend, winning the 100-meter dash in a regional qualifying time of 10.47 seconds. The time is .03 seconds off of the fourth-fastest time in school history.\nOverall, the Hoosiers will have six athletes competing in both the Stanford Invite and Texas Relays. IU coach Ron Helmer will look for those individuals to run fast and learn to compete among other highly talented athletes. \n“I hope we come out with six great performances,” \nhe said.