Some compete, some relax

Relax, the Colorado State track and field team is. Most of the

athletes will use this weekend to recuperate from a tiring indoor

season and prepare for next weekend’s Mountain West Conference

championships.

The team originally planned on competing in Colorado Springs

this weekend; however, CSU will send the throwers and jumpers to

participate in the Wyoming Open. A few middle distance runners will

travel to Colorado School of Mines. All other athletes will rest

this weekend.

Among those resting is senior John Woods, who won the 60-meter

dash last weekend and was named Mountain West Conference Track and

Field Athlete of the Week.

Ryan Lowen and Ryan Kirkpatrick will travel to Golden. Lowen

continues to impress after returning from injury and Kirkpatrick

has been steady this month.

“There’s no major pressure to run hard, jump far and throw far,”

said head coach Del Hessel. “It’s a chance to polish up on our

technical events going into conference.”

The dangerous track in Laramie also factored into the coaches

decision. With tight turns and short straight-aways the possibility

for injury rises, Hessel said.

“If you’re healthy, you need to stay healthy,” Hessel said.

The men still seek another athlete to step up in the jumps,

Hessel said. Freshmen Jonathan Uher placed well last weekend in

Nebraska and should help alleviate the pressure resting on stud

jumper Jacob Benson. Benson normally is forced to compete in three

separate events: The high jump, long jump and triple jump all occur

simultaneously.

The women hope to get another solid performance from sophomore

Jenny Higgason. The high jumper has continually placed well for the

Rams.

In throws, freshmen Magnus Lohse and senior James Cale lead the

men. The women look to Haley Hunt, Melissa Harms and Katie

Hansen.

In a conference filled with talent, rest, experience and

strategy all play key roles.

Freshman sprinter Megan Fox, one of the resting Rams this

weekend, said, “The competition is tough our team needs to be ready

for conference.”