The Penn State men's indoor track team switches gears this weekend.

The team will participate in the National Open this Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. in its own Multi-Sport Complex.

The meet is different from the previous two because it is not a team-scored meet, and the number of competitors is greatly increased.

Coach Harry Groves said that about 60 teams would be represented in the meet to go along with a number of post-collegiate athletes who will also participate. Groves said the quality of the competition and the size of the meet will help individuals in their events.

"It is an opportunity for people to get outstanding marks," Groves said. "There will be a lot of outstanding track athletes."

Members of the team are looking to use the heightened competition to help push them to personal bests and national qualifying times.

"I'm running the 800 and will try to qualify for nationals," captain Ben Karcz said. "I am going to try to run it under 1:50."

Karcz's teammate Steve Walsh said that the open is also a chance to have fun.

"Personally, I want to have fun," Walsh said. "If you're not, then there is no reason to go out there."

This weekend's meet comes after two wins for the team, one at home and one at Kent State. In the meet at Kent State the team finished 7.5 points ahead of Purdue, which was seen as an important step for the team.

"It was really big," said Bradd DelMuto. "Any time you can beat a Big Ten team it is a confidence booster."

Although Friday and Saturday will not be a team-scored event, captain Dorian Lowe said the meet is important for the team as a whole.

"The bottom line is we're getting ready for Big Tens," Lowe said. "With each meet you can see the growth of the team."

The team tries to continue that growth this weekend.