Some people would be scared sick by the sight of the No. 6 Michigan women's track team. Penn State's team is sick, but not because of Michigan.

"It's been a tenuous week because we're fighting, like the whole campus is, the illnesses that are going on between the flu and this chest cold," head coach Beth Alford-Sullivan said. "Everybody's getting a little bit of everything."

This is not ideal just days before this weekend's Sykes-Sabok Challenge Cup. At 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. tomorrow, the Penn State women's track team will face Michigan and 10 other teams at the Multi-Sport Facility.

The Nittany Lions are coming off of their first road trip of the season. It was the second leg in three straight weeks of competition, concluding this weekend. But for Big Ten rival Michigan, Penn State is always nearing 100 percent.

"We're excited to see them, and we're geared up to take care of business here this weekend," Alford-Sullivan said.

This meet will serve somewhat as of a preview for this year's Big Ten Championships. Last year Michigan finished second with 98 1/3 points, 16 2/3 points short of Penn State's total of 115.

This year Michigan has an edge in the distance category. The Wolverines have already earned NCAA qualifying times in the distance medley relay and in the mile run with senior Lindsey Gallo.

Because this is a scoring meet, the Lions hope to show their strengths in other categories to make up for shortcomings in distance.

"What helps us is that we really hope that we stack up better in the sprints, hurdles, jumps than they do," Alford-Sullivan said. "We can fight for any little thing that we can in the distances."

The Lions will be banking on their speed with freshmen Dominique Blake, Shana Cox and Gayle Hunter, sophomore Kamilah Salaam, and junior Sarah Shoaff.

Cox is currently first in the Big Ten in the 400 meters with a time of 52.75 seconds. Hunter, also one of the top long jumpers in the Big Ten, will be counted on to give Penn State multiple solid performances.

"We really look forward to seeing her jump again. I think she's got a couple bigger jumps in her yet," Alford-Sullivan said.

In the high jump the Lions might also be at a disadvantage. Michigan junior Stephanie Linz is another of its NCAA qualified competitors.

But Alford-Sullivan sees another advantage with the throwers. Senior throws captain Kate Johnston and junior Jennifer Leatherman have consistently performed with high finishes. Leatherman is currently first in the Big Ten in the 20-pound weight throw and the shot put, with marks of 65 feet, 3 inches and 49 feet, 2 inches, respectively.

Going into the meet Penn State is confident. Despite being tired, and in some cases nauseous, the squad is eager to compete.

"They've been training hard, racing hard, and competing hard so we're prepared for the weekend," Alford-Sullivan said.

Also, there is some added incentive.

"We're also excited to get next week off," she said.