On Valentine's Day, many students have plans for romantic dates; others have plans to bemoan the lack of one. In contrast, the UW men's track team has plans to demonstrate their love for their sport. This Friday, the team heads to the Iowa State Classic, where they hope to put all the pieces in place for a successful run to the top of the Big Ten.
\This is our last big meet before the Big Ten Championship,"" Head Coach Ed Nuttycombe said.
The competition at the Iowa State Classic is typically very intense, and should put the team in peak condition for the rest of the indoor track season.
""It's our final tune-up, and we want to get our individuals as ready as possible,"" Nuttycombe said.
Nuttycombe is in the middle of his twentieth season coaching track at Wisconsin, and has earned Coach of the Year honors twelve times. For the remainder of the season, his goals are as impressive as his credentials.
""This meet is our best opportunity thus far to add NCAA qualifiers,"" Nuttycombe said. ""For the indoor season, I hope to take a handful of athletes to the NCAA competition. We hope to finish in the top 10 to 12 teams in the nation, and I think we can definitely be a contender,"" Nuttycombe said.
Nuttycombe's winning attitude has clearly rubbed off on his athletes. Junior hurdler Jon Mungen is in the middle of a remarkable season for the Badgers, and has not lost in the 60-meter hurdles. This weekend, Mungen hopes to challenge his NCAA provisional time of 7.86 seconds, and also to continue his undefeated streak.
""My practice indicates that I'm running well, and I'm getting myself in the right mindset,"" Mungen said. Mungen is working toward a ""championship season,"" and enjoys being the best at what he does.
""It never gets easier,"" Mungen said. ""I'm usually favored to win my races now, so I just need to get the right mindset and run my race, and there's no pressure,"" Mungen said.
As the season continues, strenuous training gives way to increased rest.
""We're tapering our training and getting more rest so we'll be fresher,"" Nuttycombe said.
""I'm just taking it easy and getting ready to run fast,"" said sophomore long sprinter Dan Murray.
Murray has also found success this season, running a Big Ten-best 1:19.17 in the 600-meter sprint and earning the fourth fastest time in UW history. Murray has had similar results in his 800-meter runs this year, and hopes to ""pop a good 800"" this weekend in Iowa.
Both athletes take a similar approach to running; each looks within for motivation.
""I don't really look at other runners; I motivate myself from within. I just try to run my race,"" Mungen said.
""I look at my accomplishments and try to improve upon them,"" Murray added. Neither athlete has changed his preparation technique as the season has progressed.
""I just do the same warm-up, listen to music, drink lots of water and try to relax,"" Murray said. Mungen's preparation is similar.
""I have a bagel and juice, listen to gospel music and say my prayers,"" Mungen said.
Several other athletes are also ready to excel at the Iowa State Classic. Senior high jumper Steve Jones owns the second best high jump mark in the Big Ten this season, with a jump of 7' .25'. Sophomore long sprinter Dustin Rabine ran a 1:19.54 in the 600-meter sprint, behind only teammate Murray in the Big Ten. Sophomore long sprinter Jvontai Hanserd is also running well and has won his last two 200-meter sprints.
