host to 21 different teams

From Special Reports

The Troy State Track and Field program will host the TSU/Nike Invitational this Saturday, Apr. 8, at the James H. Colley Track in Memorial Stadium. The field consists of 21 teams with several nationally-recognized athletes competing unattached.

TSU is hosting Alabama, Auburn, UAB, South Alabama, Samford, Jacksonville State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, New Orleans, Birmingham-Southern, Mobile and West Florida among others.

The most exciting event of the day appears to be the menís 1,500 meter run where eight athletes have times within three seconds of each other. Other feature races include the menís 400 meter dash, which includes 1998 NCAA Runner-up Davian Clarke then of Miami, now running unattached, menís 100 meter dash with eight runners at 10.34 or better, menís 800 meter run, menís 200 meter dash and menís 3,000 meters. Three-time All-American Tim Broe of Alabama headlines the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

Several female athletes will be looking to qualify for their respective Olympic teams as well. Those include Catherine Heller (Hammer Throw) and Olivia McKay (Javelin), both unattached, trying to earn a spot on the U.S. team. Elechi Oluchi highlights the long jump. She competed in the 1996 Olympics for Nigeria.

"This is the best field we have ever had for this event," said Head Coach Bob Lambert. "There are Olympians, All-Americans and athletes that could qualify for their respective Olympic team or the NCAA Championships at this event.

"There is an excellent chance that someone, maybe more than one person, will qualify for their respective Olympic team on our track."

The meet starts at 10 a.m. (CDT) with the javelin and hammer throw. The last scheduled event, the 4×400 meter men’s relay starts at 4:40 p.m.