Gophers, Illini to give Badgers run for money

Last year's Big Ten Men's Indoor Track Championships were a mere technicality -- Wisconsin just had to show up to get its trophy. But this weekend at Purdue, there will be several teams in the Big Ten title hunt.

Last year, Wisconsin dominated the competition earning 126 points. Badger head coach Ed Nuttycombe was named Coach of the Year and sprinter Reggie Torian was named Big Ten Athlete of the Year.

Nuttycombe is still around, but Torian, who finished first in the 55-meter dash and high hurdles, was lost to graduation, leaving hope for the rest of the Big Ten athletes. Nuttycombe lost nine big-scoring seniors last year, including three NCAA champions.

"We are young and un-proven," Nuttycombe said. "Losing nine seniors to graduation leaves big shoes to fill."

Nuttycombe said teams in the Big Ten are stronger this year and on any given day are able to be in the top three.

"Our goal is to finish in the top three," he said. "We want to make sure we get guys to the line healthy."

Nine other teams in the Big Ten are looking to overthrow the Badgers this year, and Penn State coach Harry Groves said Minnesota and Illinois are two teams to look out for.

Minnesota head coach Phil Lundin said the championships are going to be interesting this year. He said the hot team going into the championship will do well.

"Last year Wisconsin had the better team," Lundin said. "They lost kids and it will bring them down to the level with the rest of us."

Lundin said the Gophers are going to be strong in the high jump. Four of the jumpers eclipse seven feet, including Staffan Strand, the top jumper in the Big Ten. The other three jumpers are ranked third, fourth and fifth in the event.

Illinois head coach Gary Wieneke said Minnesota is the favorite going into the championships because of their strong field events.

But don't count out Wieneke's team. He is looking for last year's returnees to step it up for the championships. One athlete is Bobby True, who finished second behind Penn State's Joe Loner in the 800-meters last year.

"We are sleepers going in," Wieneke said. "We're in good shape and have intentions to win the meet."

The Fighting Illini are strong in the middle distance events like the 400-, 600- and 800-meters. In the 400-meters, Chris Jones is ranked fourth and Matt Klima is fifth. In the 600-meters, Klima is the Big Ten's top runner and True is second. In the 800-meters, Cortney Lamb is second behind True.

Michigan is a strong distance team with runners ranked in the one-mile, 3000- and 5000-meters and the distance medley relay.

The Wolverines have the top three runners in the mile, with Kevin Sullivan ranked first, Jay Cantin second and John Mortimer third. Donald McLaughlin joins the mile crowd ranked fifth.

Along with being ranked first in the mile, Sullivan is also the top runner in the 3000-meters and Mortimer is the top runner in the 5000-meters.

Wolverine coach Jack Harvey said his team may only get 70 to 80 points in the weekend competition and is relying on the bulk of those points in the distance events. Harvey said Sullivan is Michigan's key to success.

"He's one of the best athletes we've ever had," Harvey said. "He is an NCAA champion and an injury kept him from making the Olympics in Atlanta."

Sullivan is from Canada, and Harvey said he should make the Canadian Olympic team in the year 2000.

But before he thinks about Olympic glory, Sullivan is just one of many athletes who could help his team knock off the Badgers this weekend.