The ASU indoor track and field team is ready to improve its impressive early season record at the NAU Open this weekend in Flagstaff.
This meet will serve as a chance for the team to move some athletes from the bottom of the list and give others the opportunity to compete.
Coach Greg Kraft knows the importance of a meet like this, even if it isn't the most highly touted one of the year.
“We will try and get some kids some qualifying marks like Will Henry and Chris Morales that haven't had a chance to run an open event,” Kraft said.
This meet could also be a big stepping-stone for the Sun Devils
“When we go to New Mexico for the Mountain Pacific meet, we need times to qualify for the premier heats,” Kraft said. “What we are doing right now is trying to move up the descending order list with our times to put us in the fast heat, so when we go to Washington in a month on a big track, we can get qualified for the NCAA meet.”
For sophomore jumper Bryan McBride, this meet will be a chance to test his skills in different events. McBride, a high jumper by trade, has added the long and triple jumps to his repertoire this year.
“The long and triple jump events are coming along well,” McBride said. “It's just going to take a little bit of time and hopefully I will be able to get where Chris Benard is. He is my role model right now and I'm just following him.”
McBride and the rest of the Sun Devils will compete all day Saturday.
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu
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