Track and Field 2010 NJC Indoor Championships approaching
Jonathon Smith
The indoor track season is quickly coming to a close, and the NJC Indoor Championships are right around the corner.
Mesa is proud to be represented by 28 men and women in a number of different events. This year, expectations are exceptionally high because of the large number of qualifiers.
Coach Steve Jacobs said, “This year has been great so far with about 28 athletes qualifying for the NJC Championships already. Normally we send around 15 athletes, so its great to have more qualifiers.”
The team is looking to build on last years success. The women finished 5th in nation last year, and the men finished 9th. With an even greater number of athletes qualifying in top positions, Mesa has an excellent opportunity to expand on last years performance.
The Championships will be held March 5 and 6, at Eastern Illinois University. Colleges from all over the nation send their top athletes to the Division I competition.
Athletes can quailfy at a number of events throughout the year by acheiving scores that rank them amongst the top in the nation.
Coach Jacobs said, “Typically only about 12 to 16 athletes qualify for an event, so the field is comprised of only the best in the nation.”
In addition to a number of individual qualifiers, a number of relay teams qualified. The men qualified for the 4x400m relay and the 4,000-meter distance medley. The women qualified for the 4x400m relay and 4,000-meter distance medley. The women also qualified for the 4×800-meter relay with the top qualifying score in the nation.
The indoor season is only the beginning though. After the indoor season comes to a close, the outdoor season begins.
The first outdoor conference meet is scheduled for March 13. The team will host the Mesa Classic on April 9, and follow that meet a week later with another meet at home on April 17.
