Unpredicatable weather, uncooperative March snowfall, mud and rain -- the outdoor season is a battle of the elements for the women's track team, and they are looking forward to it.

After finishing a productive indoor campaign with a disappointing finish in the Big Tens, the Lady Lions are entering the great outdoors with something to prove to the conference.

"In our conference Wisconsin and Illinois will not be easy to beat," Coach Teri Jordan said. "Michigan won't sit down either, but we don't want to finish eighth again."

Senior distance captain Laurie Morrow agrees with her coach that the outdoor season could allow the Lady Lions to exploit their strengths in the Big Ten.

"With the 10,000 and throwing events being outdoors we should do a lot better in the Big Ten because of our strengths," Morrow said.

There are plenty of indications favoring the team's desire to improve their standing in the formidable Big Ten.

For one thing, the addition of the 400 meter hurdles and javelin events cater to the Lady Lions' talent. Versatile senior Shelley Mitchell will handled the 400 hurdle duties and try to duplicate efforts which have twice landed her in NCAA competition. The javelin allows three top-notch team members to finally compete after anxiously waiting for the indoor season to end.

Stacy Gibbs, the captain for throws, Jen Crouch and Dayna Holston have been vigorously training for the outdoor season since their roles are curtailed during the indoor season. Hitting the weights three days a week and performing speedwork and throwing drills on the rest, the trio is anxious to begin the 1992 season.

"We are excited to finally get to compete," Gibbs said. "During indoor we never felt like part of the team since we didn't get to travel. Now we are psyched."

In terms of motivation, last season's narrow miss at qualifying for the NCAA will fuel the already raging competitive fire for Gibbs and Crouch. Both provisionally qualified, but were not among the top ten and were denied the trip.

"It really is extra motivation," said Gibbs. "I don't want to get a call again two days before leaving to say we are not going to go."

During indoor the two-mile relay team suffered the same fate. Jordan said the solution is to qualify automatically. A challenging feat, but an excellent goal.

Another key to the outdoor season could be the continued development of freshman sisters Kim and Kris Kelly. They succeeded in the 5,000 and 3,000 meters in the winter but their forte is the longer runs. The 10,000 suits their abilities and the outdoor season provides them with a chance to prove it.

"Both have a good chance to qualify for nationals in the 10,000,"Jordan said.

Unlike the start of the indoor season, the Lady Lion troops will head into battle with a healthy assembly. Injuries which hampered the Lady Lions during indoor are now cured, and a healthy team makes a happy coach.

"Fewer injuries is a positive sign," Jordan said. "The majority of the team is ready for the outdoor season. Indoor we had health problems, but right now we have no devasting injuries. Without injuries we can reach our peak outdoors."

Another element Jordan is looking forward to is the development of the 12 freshman who received seasoning during the indoor meets.

"Everybody is going to put in contributions," she explained. "The pressure won't be on the shoulders of just one person. The freshman have to apply the experience they have gained to the outdoor season."

With youth, health, experience and talent working in their favor, the Lady Lions will be running outside and in the right direction.