The women's track team usually runs in front of just parents, friends, coaches and other athletes -- maybe a hundred people.

The women's track team usually competes against just Eastern schools.

But for a few Lady Lions participating in the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York City today, things will be different.

Members of the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter relay teams will run against an international field of 650 athletes in front of a crowd that Coach Teri Jordan estimates to be between 15,000 and 17,000.

"It will be exciting, but scary," junior Leslie Hummer, 1,600-meter relay member, said.

But sophomore Mary Beth Powers doesn't feel any extra pressure.

"I don't feel the larger crowd will affect me because I just concentrate on the meet itself. I haven't thought about it," the member of the 3,200-meter relay team said.

Powers explained that her relay team will not shoot for a national qualifying time today because the 176-meter banked track is considerably smaller than the standard 200-meter track. She said qualifying for NCAAs will have to wait for the Florida Invitational next week.

However, Jordan believes the elite competition should compensate for the slower times produced by the track and she expects some season-best times from her relay teams, both of which will be running in the fast heat of their events.

Sophomore Kim Kessell will also compete at the Millrose Games in the shot put, but that event is being held at Manhattan College. Kessell placed third in the event last year with a 45'11".

After returning from the Millrose Games tomorrow, Jordan will head back to New York the same day with the rest of her team -- this time to the Syracuse Invitational on Sunday. Only sophomore Jackie Brown will run in both meets.

Jordan is hopeful about Syracuse, having won six events there last year. Most Lady Lions will compete in just one event, so they will be fresh for Florida next weekend.