Track takes on seven teams in only home meet
The USU track team will host seven other teams in the Mark Faldo Open Saturday for their only home meet of the season.
In a meet with no team scores, the Aggies will take on Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Idaho State University, Utah Valley State College, and Ricks College.
Head coach Gregg Gensel said the team traditionally performs well at this meet for two reasons: It is a month before conference, and it is at home.
He said the home meet is good because the athletes are familiar with the track, and they have the home crowd cheering for them.
“The athletes like to show their stuff for the home crowd,” Gensel said. “They are also definitely more comfortable with the track, so all they have to worry about is running.”
Five Aggies have already qualified for nationals. They are Brick Bergeson in both the 800-meter run and the 1500, Brett Guymon in the 400 hurdles, James Parker in the hammer throw, Candice Workman in the shot put and Joel Johnson in the decathlon.
Gensel said he wouldn’t be surprised if more individuals qualified this weekend.
“As long as we have a good day, I think we have a good chance of having more athletes qualify,” he said. “I won’t be disappointed if we don’t, but I’ll be elated if we do.”
Parker said he also expects the Aggies to perform well this Saturday.
“We practice here everyday, so we’re familiar with it,” he said. “I think it will be a good meet this weekend for me and the others.”
Gensel said the expects all the athletes to perform well, especially Rebecca Thornley, Bekah Leffler and Mitch Zundel in the distance races; Kathleen Hobbs, Anthony Stewart and Dwayne Foster in the short sprints; Parker, Neil Warr and David Hoffman in the field events; and Jake Geyer in the steeplechase.
The meet is free to the public, and Gensel said the stands usually fill up.