Trackwomen content as Big Ten underdogs

Heading into this weekend's Big Ten Women's Indoor Track Championships, no one seems to be talking about Penn State as a threat.

All the talk is about the big three -- Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois -- to contend for the championships which start at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in East Lansing, Mich.

"Let everyone think about who they want to think about," freshman Olutoyin (Toyin) Augustus said. "We know that if we perform at the level we are capable, then we can win this thing."

Augustus is excited to compete in her first Big Ten Championship.

Augustus will add to the team something it lacked at last year's championships -- a competitive sprinter. She has the potential to score a lot of points this weekend and she has given her team some confidence.

"We never really had a sprinter with the potential of finishing in the top five," senior Erica Bosler said. "Now Toyin gives us that."

Bosler lost the 600-meters last year by just .01 seconds to Indiana's Hilary Breuning. She can't wait for the rematch.

"I am looking forward to running against her," Bosler said, "but there are other athletes in the Big Ten that improved that I also have to watch out for."

Bosler will also be running on the distance medley relay team along with sophomore Laila Brock, freshman Melinda Brown and senior Allison Glitz.

"We should score well in the distance medley," Penn State coach Teri Jordan said. "It is one of our best events."

Brock has been improving every meet in the 400-meters and is now ranked in the top five in the Big Ten. She said she will be looking for a break-out performance.

Penn State finished fifth last year. That may be seem decent, but the team was disappointed.

"We wanted to do better than fifth," Bosler said. "This year we know what we can do and we have to do it."

The cross-country season, which most of Penn State's distance runners participated in, has taken its toll on the runners through injuries. With a lot of Penn State's distance runners still hurt and preparing for the outdoor season, Jordan knows her team will be hard-pressed for points and just wants to see her team compete the best it can.

"If we finish in the top five," Jordan said, "then I will consider this a great meet for us."

If Penn State is going to finish in the top five, key players need to be successful. Agustus, Bosler and Brock have to have their best performances of the year. Senior Kim Hicks and junior Mary Jo Faust need their best throws in the shot-put and seniors Carleen Martin and Shakeema Walker need to go out in style in the high jump and triple jump, respectively.

If the Lions want to respect in the Big Ten, then they are going to have to earn it with a good showing this weekend.