KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, IND. ? The Indiana State track & field teams will begin their outdoor season this weekend when they compete in the SIU Edwardsville Cougar Invitational which will be held on Friday and Saturday at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Ill. Joining the Sycamores and SIUE will be Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, Western Kentucky, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Missouri will be sending throwers to the event.

The competition will open on Friday with competition in the women's and men's hammer throw starting at 6:30 p.m. (ET). The rest of the Cougar Invitational will be contested on Saturday starting with the field events at 11 a.m. (ET). Running events are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. (ET) with a rolling time schedule.

The weather forecast isn't favorable to outdoor activity with a 50 percent chance of rain both days with highs in the mid 40s and lows in the low 30s.

“It looks like it will be a typical season opening outdoor mean as far as the weather is concerned,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach said. “To say the least it will be challenging weather for the competition.”

McNichols said the team will go into the competition with the expectation of taking advantage of the conditions whenever possible while still looking for top performances.

“Our first objective is to protect the athletes,” McNichols said. “There is little we can do about the weahter or its affect on the performances. We will expect to get something positive out of this meet.”

Several members of the men's team will not be competing this weekend as they are still recovering from injuries or illness. Several others will be competing unattached at an open meet hosted by Vincennes University.