Bring on Big Tens
Trackmen travel to Wisconsin this weekend

By MATT WONG
Collegian Staff Writer

As highly competitive as Big Ten athletics are recognized to be -- indoor track is no exception.

Considering that as of last week eight conference teams were among the top 25 track and field teams in the country, this week's Big Ten Championships is shaping up to be a heavily anticipated competition.

"If I were to die," Penn State coach Harry Groves said, "I'd wait until Monday so I can go to the Big Ten meet this weekend."

Groves' wait is over, as the Penn State men's indoor track and field team will travel to Big Tens tomorrow and Sunday in Madison, Wis., a competition where the Nittany Lions (11-2) have had trouble and scattered success in the past.

After two consecutive 10th-place finishes in 1995 and 1996, the Lions finally pawed their way into the eighth spot last season scoring 51 points, 57 points behind Big Ten champions Minnesota.

This season the Lions, currently ranked 19th in the power rankings, are confident and led by long jumpers George Audu, currently the nation's top jumper, and John Gorham. The duo has been consistent all season long but will face tough competition in their event, including Big Ten defending champion Iowa's Bashir Yamini.

Matchups like this are expected in every event, making for a potentially exciting competition.

"It's going to be a very close competition," Gophers track coordinator Roy Griak said. "And it'll be interesting to see who's going to be top dog."

As of now, Groves said Indiana and Illinois are the favorites to be that top dog, but added that because every team is so talented, it is hard to pick a winner.

"You have to have the ability, and your head has to be in it to do good in the Big Tens," Groves said. "If you're a sissy and you're in the Big Ten, go into another sport. There are no gifts in the Big Ten. You have to earn every point and every place."

It is the ability around the conference that has earned the Big Ten the label of one of the top track and field conferences in the country.

But Big Ten coaches argue it is not only one of the best -- it's No. 1.

Groves said there is no other conference that is loaded in every event like the Big Ten, while Michigan State coach Darroll Gatson added that no team can dominate in this conference.

"If you're better than the Big Ten, then you're a professional," Groves said. "The competition is so awesome, you'll crap in your pants."