IU track and field will head down to Knoxville, Tennessee, for a three-day meet. The team will be represented by 52 athletes at the Tennessee Relays at the University of Tennessee at Tom Black Track.
IU Coach Ron Helmer said this weekend will be used to get everyone out on the track and exposed to good competition.
“Pretty much everyone will be competing this weekend," Helmer said. "We are just going to be lining everyone up, and it looks like its just going to be good weather and good competition.”
Day one of competition will begin Thursday, April 12, with senior Andrew Miller competing in the hammer throw. For the field events, junior Willie Morrison will compete in the men’s shot put and discuss event along with junior David Schall.
Although the throwers' last meet did not go as planned, Helmer said he still has high hopes for these athletes.
“The throwers did not perform too well last weekend when they traveled to Georgia, but I think we got a lot done in terms of teaching and coaching and hopefully moving into getting better marks,” Helmer said.
Friday’s events will start with men’s long jump featuring juniors Treyton Harris and Eric Bethea. Sophomores William Session and Dushawn Tunstall will compete in the men’s 400-meter hurdles as well.
Day three of field events will showcase Bethea in the triple jump. After his performance in the Florida Relays, Bethea is currently ranked No. 9 in the nation. Sophomore Adam Coulon will compete in the pole vault, and senior Paul Galas and freshman Jyles Etienne will compete in the men’s high jump.
As the team looks ahead to the Penn Relays and the outdoor Big Ten Championship, Helmer said he is hoping the team doesn't get too comfortable just yet.
“We are in a good place, I think that the potential for us to get where we want to be is really good," Helmer said. "I watch these athletes train and I think the training is good but we have to continue to put marks on the board that extend our season at least into the first round of the NCAA meet."
Helmer said the team has to earn better marks in order to keep improving late in the season.
“Right now we have some solid marks on the board but everyone also has the ability to be better, and this is when they have the opportunity to do it,” Helmer said. “Hopefully we will have some high-level performances this weekend and everyone will take advantage of the weekend.”
