Track and field invitational begins Friday

The annual Gladstein Invitational begins Friday at Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse, one of the nation’s top-ranked sports facilities and home to IU indoor track and field.

During the next two days, IU runners, jumpers, throwers and hurdlers will have the opportunity to compete with athletes from across the nation.

The competition includes Big Ten opponents Ohio State and Purdue, who narrowly defeated the Hoosiers in a dual meet last Saturday.

But the invitational is a different beast entirely, with top competitors hailing all the way from Dayton University and Missouri State University.

IU’s focus will shift from team performance to individual performance, giving its athletes a chance to compete for early-season success.

Freshmen Ari Nelson and Jason Crist have already found success.

Nelson was the Indiana High School State Champion for the long jump in 2013.

After fouling all four of her jumps at the Hoosier Open, Nelson rebounded in West Lafayette to claim first place in the long jump with a personal record of 5.95 meters.
The mark is the ninth-best in program history.

Heading into the Gladstein Invitational, Nelson said she has a newfound excitement.

“Going to the Purdue meet brought back my confidence and showed me that I can compete at the collegiate level,” Nelson said. “It’s great to be around a group of girls who love long jump, and are as passionate about it as me.”

Crist, a long-distance runner, is also coming off a strong performance.

He out-raced Boilermakers and Hoosiers alike to win the men’s mile last weekend.
At the invitational, he will compete in the men’s 3K — expected to be the invite’s marquee event.

Crist said he aims to finish the race in eight minutes, an 18-second improvement from his current personal record.

IU Coach Ron Helmer sees no reason why that mark isn’t attainable.

“It’s a great facility, and our athletes know it,” Helmer said. “If they think they’re going to run fast, they probably will.”

Though the Hoosiers had their lightest workload in recent weeks, Helmer said the team’s attitude has been focused and business-like.

Just as an audience can easily gauge a football player’s hustle on the field or basketball player’s physicality on the court, Helmer said he can gauge the energy of his runners.

“I like where we are,” he said. “It’s a positive energy, and a group that’s very much looking forward to the weekend.”

Follow reporter Tori Ziege on Twitter @ToriZiege