After traveling to Austin, Texas last week for the prestigious Texas Relays, the ASU track and field team will host their own prominent meet on Saturday.
The Sun Devils will host the Sun Angel Classic, an event that will feature blue-ribbon track and field athletes from around the country. Last week, it was mainly sprinters who competed against the nation's top collegiate talent - this week, most of the ASU team, in all events, will be in action.
"We are now getting into the countdown to the Pac-10 (championships)," said head coach Greg Kraft, who said he felt last week's meet was "momentum building."
"Across the board, we need to start making a positive step forward."
Kraft said right now, from top to bottom, his team is the best in the country, with talent spread out across the board instead of stockpiling specific events - or "pockets of excellence" as Kraft describes it - like some colleges do. However, the influx of talent this weekend will be putting his team to the test, with such powers like Florida, USC and Baylor in attendance.
"It's a nice chance for us to run against great competition," Kraft said. "It's going to be very interesting."
With the home meet on Saturday, and Easter the day after, the competition will also be a chance for many of the track athletes' families to come to town and further boost the implied "home field advantage."
"For the kids it helps because you have someone important in the stands," Kraft said. "For (the coaches) it's easier because we only had about three hours of sleep after the (last) track meet. And the wear and tear of travel is just tough on you.
"The kids like traveling, but it takes a lot out of you."
The men's 4x100 team will have a chance at redemption this weekend against the relay squads of Florida and Baylor, which finished ahead of them in Texas. In the mile relay, LSU, the team that beat ASU last week, will not be making the trip to Tempe.
Johnson back in limited action
Freshman sensation Jackie Johnson will compete on Saturday but in a limited capacity.
After injuring her hamstring two weeks ago in Tucson and not traveling to Texas, Johnson will only be competing in the javelin on Saturday.
Kraft said that the minimized workload is all part of a designed training plan for Johnson.
"I'm just being very cautious with her," Kraft added. "We got four-and-a-half weeks until we go to the Pac-10 Multis, and she's got plenty of time."
Edinger to be honored
Perry Edinger, the former head athletics trainer for ASU, will be honored at the meet.
Edinger was originally hired in January of 1989 and was a member of the staff until last year.
The ASU coaching staff will also recognize Rob Mann, the coach of Northern Arizona, who will be retiring after 24 years with the school.
While with the Lumberjacks, Mann has guided 105 All-Americans, five Olympians and three NCAA champions.
Reach the reporter at jeffrey.hoodzow@asu.edu.
