Dane Miller and Steve Meyers may have very different approaches to throwing the shot put, but so far their contrasting styles have produced results this season.

Miller's pre-throw routine includes plenty of jumping around, chest beating and yelling at himself to get pumped. During his throws, there is more screaming followed by more high-pitched cries of "Come on, come on" to focus himself after his throws.

Meyers can usually be seen practicing his next throw by himself, patting his competitors on the back after their throws or clapping for someone who is about to toss. He throws with a wristwatch on his left hand and is quiet with a businesslike approach to competition.

Despite their differences, the fifth-year seniors have been around each other more than enough to know what gets the other motivated for big throws.

"We complement each other well in the meets just because we are so different," Miller said.

"We know each other so well that I know what makes him tick and he knows what makes me tick."

The Nittany Lions will look to the shot putters for big performances at the Big Ten Indoor Championships this weekend at Bloomington, Ind.

The duo has plenty of experience and success in the Big Ten Indoor Championship: Miller took sixth in 2005, while Meyers finished 10th and ninth in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Although neither is currently ranked in the top five in the conference, Meyers says that the title is very much up for grabs.

"Right now, a shot at the Big Ten is wide open," he said.

"Anybody can claim the top spot with a good throw. I just want to go out there and put out a good one and hope people try to chase me, instead of me doing the chasing."

Meyers has struggled through an up-and-down season so far. He started by winning the Penn State Relays and the Penn State Open, but has since been inconsistent.

Dealing with the daily grind of graduate school, Meyers' day consists of doing work for seven or eight hours a day, going to practice, going home and eating dinner and then going to bed.

"Trying to balance grad school and this is never easy," Meyers said.

"My better throws have come when I've been able to put in more practice, like the beginning of the semester. Last week, I just had more time so I could just practice more."

Meanwhile, Miller got off to a slow start in 2007, but has put up his better efforts as the season has gone on including a 57-foot, 4.25 inch throw at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge.

Miller's rough start could be contributed to the fact that he is in his first action since 2005, after redshirting last season and dropping out of school for personal reasons.

"The first two or three meets I couldn't even control myself. I would be in the meet and I would be like 'Wow, this is great,' " Miller said.

"I am so happy I'm back competing. I'm gonna be excited when it comes to Big Tens."

Throwers coach Dayna Holston Wenger has seen the excitement that Miller and Meyers have going into the Big Ten Indoor Championships, and she expects some big throws.