Cyclones Open Outdoor Season in Florida

AMES, Iowa- The Iowa State men's track and field team travels to Orlando, Fla. this weekend for the first meet of its outdoor season, competing in the Walt Disney World Invitational at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex on Friday and Saturday.

The outdoor season will bring a new atmosphere, new events and new goals. The Cyclones will participate in the 100-meter dash, the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles, the discus and the 4x100, 4x200, and shuttle hurdle relays.

“My biggest concern is going down there, getting a feel for things, competing and staying healthy,” head men's track and field coach Steve Lynn said. “That's the number one thing I want, to come back with everyone healthy and getting some really good competition in. We do that and we're going to be okay, because the performances are going to come.”

ISU will also be adjusting to the warm weather. Temperatures are forecast to be in the 80's this weekend in Florida.

“That's going to be a big adjustment, it's always a concern,” Lynn said. “You have to compete in heat. It's actually easier for your body to compete in cool weather than it is in hot weather. So it's good for us to get the exposure because later on this year that's what we're going to see.”

The NCAA-qualifying 4x400 relay team, consisting of junior Tony Stanfield, junior Jared Lewis, senior Elijah Braimah and senior Jared Graham, will also be racing after they ran a 3:09.73 to finish 10th at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark.

Events begin for the Cyclones at 8 a.m. on Friday with the discus throw. The meet wraps up at 3:25 p.m. on Saturday with the 4x400 relay.