March 22, 2007

MILWAUKEE - Spring is here and that means a jump from the inside to the out for the Marquette men's and women's track & field teams. The Golden Eagles travel to Carbondale, Ill., for the SIU Spring Classic, Friday and Saturday, at Lew Hartzog Stadium, as they begin the road to qualifying for the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships, held May 4-6 in Storrs, Conn.

"After a few weeks off for most of the team after the indoor season, we are excited to be competing again and get the outdoor season going," said head coach Dave Uhrich. "Most people like the outdoor season better. There are different events and the track is bigger. If the weather is good, then it is good to be competing outside."

Marquette has had three weeks rest since its last meets, March 2-3, when team members competed in the Alex Wilson and Karl Schlender Invitationals.

Both the men and women are coming off successful indoor campaigns. Seven student-athletes earned BIG EAST All-Conference honors at the indoor meet, including junior Jessica Ehlen in the weight throw (57-11.25, third), junior Cassie Peller in the mile (4:50.69, second), senior Tommy Schmitz in the 1,000m (2:25.32, second), and freshmen Sarah Verdoliva and Katlin Millin, senior Kristina Malin and Peller in the 4x800m relay (9:01.26, third).

The meet is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., Friday.

Also competing this weekend, but at the Augustana College Opener in Rock Island, Ill., is junior Tom Sage, who will participate in the decathlon. His victory quest begins on Friday at 3 p.m.