After a successful indoor season, the women's track team moves outdoors this weekend as the outdoor track season begins.

Most of the team will be at the Penn Invitational at the University of Pennsylvania tomorrow, while two team members travel to Arizona for the Arizona Heptathlon.

"Outdoors is what we look forward to all year," junior Deb Ford said. "It (competing outdoors) brings the team more together. We are all psyched to compete." Ford will compete in the high jump and run the 200-meter.

Pam Connell and Shelly Mitchell are slated to compete in the heptathlon tomorrow and Sunday. Some of the best collegiate heptathletes in the country will be on hand and the competition should be fierce.

"Pam is the best heptathelete in the East, by far. That's why she is going out West," Ford said. "She should qualify for the NCAAs this weekend."

The heptathlon consists of seven events: the high jump, long jump, 100-meter hurdles, shot put, javelin throw, 200-meter run and the 800-meter run.

"We hope Pam can qualify for nationals (this weekend) and Shelly can get some experience in that direction," Coach Teri Jordan said.

The heptathlon is not run during the indoor season which, according to Jordan, is "too bad because Pam is so good at it."

At Penn, the rest of the team will attempt to qualify for postseason championships like the ECACs, NCAAs and the TACs.

Although other teams like Temple, St. Joseph's and Rutgers will be on hand, no team scores will be recorded.

Added for the outdoor season are the 10,000-meter run, 400-meter hurdles, javelin, hammer throw and the discus.

Emily Haas and Wendy Nelson already qualified for the ECAC Championships in the 10,000-meter run last weekend. Both boasted their best times in the event.

"We will be working on the new events (along with the familiar events)," Jordan said. "We are looking forward to a good meet."

Lisa Gold, Stacy Prey and Moutique Jones will compete this weekend for the first time. Each is coming off injuries that cut her indoor season short.