The MSU men’s and women’s track and field teams will be competing in the 2001 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championship this weekend in Bloomington, Ind.
Men’s coach Darroll Gatson looks forward to strong competition from his athletes during the weekend, while women’s coach Angela Goodman looks to use the weekend as a stepping stone for her program.
Gatson has high expectations of his team, but there is one standard he has set for his athletes - to compete.
“Our goal is to be very competitive,” Gatson said. “Like to finish in the top five. If we finish sixth or seventh we’ll have a good meet.”
The goal to be competitive will be essential to the Spartans’ success because the team is small, Gatson said. He said injuries have plagued the team all season, so his athletes have to step up this weekend.
Men’s team leaders include freshman Steve Manz, who set a school record at the Spartans’ last meet with a shot put throw of 59 feet, 8 1/2 inches, and sophomore 800-meter runner Andy Lixey, who placed first during the Spartans’ last outing with a time of 1:51.11. Gatson expects Manz to finish between fourth or fifth in the shot put and Lixey should also place well in Bloomington.
“I think (Lixey) will be top three,” Gatson said. “Hopefully top three.”
Both Manz and Lixey have the numbers to qualify for the NCAA Championship, but a strong weekend could earn an automatic bid for both athletes.
On the women’s side, Goodman said this season is a rebuilding year. Goodman knows a strong effort will be needed during the weekend.
“It’s going to be a tough weekend for us,” she said.
Goodman expects a 25-point effort and a 10th-place finish from her team. Although those numbers may sound low, Goodman said they’re her realistic expectations and this is the last season the Spartans are expected to be at the bottom of the Big Ten.
“The great thing is we know what we left at home,” Goodman said of her choice to redshirt athletes this season for the sake of the Spartans’ future.
But Goodman said her athletes have shown enthusiasm in practice and they anticipate the weekend.
“(Everyone is) looking to use (the Big Ten Championship) as a last opportunity for everyone to have their best performances,” she said.
Goodman said she is hoping for sophomore Ann Somerville to lead the way for the Spartans and win the 10,000-meter run Friday. She would also like to see sophomore Shiloh Wint pole vault 11 feet this weekend.
Men’s basketball
Sophomore point guard Marcus Taylor was one of 45 college basketball players selected to participate in the USA Basketball Men’s Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The 45 players will be whittled down to two teams - the 2001 USA Basketball for Young Men Qualifying Team and the 2001 USA Basketball University Games Team.
