Track Wraps Up Indoor Regular Season Saturday
2/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
ACCEPTED ENTRIES | MEET INFORMATION | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE RESULTS
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga women's and men's track teams finish their indoor regular season schedules at the Husky Classic Friday and Saturday.
The Husky Classic is one of the most highly competitive and heavily attended competitions of the entire collegiate indoor season. Twelve Zags travel to the University of Washington and the Dempsey Indoor for the prestigious two-day meet. GU has been pleased with the results of its indoor schedule so far this season.
"We are gaining fitness and strength through this indoor season and I feel really good about how it sets up for outdoor, even if the weather goes really badly over the next few weeks," Gonzaga women's track Head Coach Patty Ley said. "Just about everyone who was ill or dealing with an injury is back to running, almost all of them should be ready for the outdoor opener with just two or three a couple weeks behind that schedule. The women have been great at ‘platooning' between meets so that we meet our standards for competition, but also allow the gradual and safe return from injury or illness that is best."
The Gonzaga men have seen success this indoor season. The GU men have seen program records broken and several personal bests in 2015.
"We have shown a huge improvement in the Gonzaga distance running program," Director of Gonzaga's track program Pat Tyson said. "The success brings confidence to these young men. What is really weird is we haven't really done much speed. We are focusing on strength and doing what we can do, with at times, some challenging weather. Our goal is to peak outdoors and get a few more Gonzaga runners to the NCAA first round at the University of Texas. So, what we are taking away from our fourth year ever having this sport, are some nice competitive efforts that have broken up the dark, gray, at times cold, mundane days of the winter season."
Willie Milam makes his third appearance at the Dempsey Indoor this season. He broke the program's 3,000-meter record in the season-opening meet, the UW Preview, on Jan. 17. Two weeks later, the senior raced to a 4:01.67 mile, another program record. He is entered in the mile invitational field this weekend.
The two-day Husky Classic begins Friday with the women's 200 meters and weight throw at 4 p.m. Milam opens the meet for Gonzaga in the women's 5,000 meters at 6:10 p.m. Friday. Live video and results will be available on GoZags.com.
Gonzaga's Weekend ScheduleFRIDAY
* 6:10 p.m. - Women's 5,000 meters: Maggie Jones, Jessica Mildes (Section 2) Shelby Mills, Amelia Evans (Section 3)
* 7:10 p.m. - Men's 5,000 meters: Colin O'Neil (Section 3) Nick Roche, Kyle Branch (Section 4)
SATURDAY
* 9:30 a.m. - Men's 3,000 meters: Robert Walgren, Conor McCandless (Section 1)
* 12:45 p.m. - Men's 3,000 meters: Troy Fraley (Section 2)
* 2:10 p.m. - Men's Mile: Andy Phillips (Section 3)
* 3:15 p.m. - Men's Invitational Mile: Willie Milam (Section 5)
