The Wisconsin men's track team will look to defend seven consecutive Big Ten titles as it aims to add an eighth trophy to its arsenal while hosting the Big Ten Championships this weekend at the Shell.
Despite the winning streak, the No. 26 Badgers are not the favorites this year, as No. 21 Michigan appears to have the edge on paper. Wisconsin head coach Ed Nuttycombe noted that Purdue, Penn State and Minnesota are also legitimate contenders.
I have never, never in my many years, seen so many viable teams that have a chance to win it on their given day,"" Nuttycombe said.
The Badgers won with 120 points over Minnesota's 93 in last year's conference championships, taking away three individual titles. That team went on to win the indoor NCAA Championships.
Nuttycombe said distance is the ""mainstay of the team,"" but also said good showings in the hurdles, relays and high jump are crucial to a UW victory.
The distance crew will put its top scorers in individual events, where UW should get a good chunk of its points, especially since two sophomores - Brandon Bethke and Jack Bolas - have already broken four minutes in the mile this season.
Outside of distance, Wisconsin will seek points from junior James Groce in sprints, sophomore Nate Larkin in hurdles, junior Brennan Boettcher in the high jump and freshman David Grzesiak in the heptathlon.
""Everyone's enjoying the fact that we get to compete here this weekend, things are starting to click,"" Grzesiak said. ""People keep telling me it's such a great time and it's such a great atmosphere, but to have it here will really help my first year.""
The team will count on its underclassmen to deliver points, and Groce said he has already taken responsibility as a ""team elder.""
""We're just trying to keep these young guys realizing that Rome wasn't built in a day,"" Groce said. ""It's going to suck, you're going to feel bad, your legs are going to feel tired until you're supposed to feel good. And when you feel good, that's when you're going to run fast.""
Groce said he hopes that he, along with the 1,600-meter relay team, can hit NCAA provisional qualifying marks in Madison this weekend, ""but if all else fails, we'll just go to the last-chance meet [in Notre Dame], lace it up and make it there.""
Women's preview
With the distance squad as its staple, the No. 32 Wisconsin women's track team will be vying to finish in the top five at the Big Ten Championships at Minnesota this weekend.
The women's field is arguably more competitive than the men's this year, with three teams - Michigan, Minnesota and Penn State - ranked in the top 10 along with No. 18 Iowa and No. 29 Purdue.
With some key injuries, the women placed sixth last year with 52.5 points.
The best scenario for the Badgers would be a top-three showing, and several athletes believe it is possible.
""Definitely, top three would be an ultimate goal,"" senior distance runner Katrina Rundhaug said. ""And I definitely think we're capable of it, as long as everybody has a good meet on the same day.""
Rundhaug is the team's top point-getter this season, and UW will be hoping she will collect 15 to 20 points in the 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. Rundhaug goes into the Big Tens ranked first in the 5k and seventh in the 3k.
""I would love to win both,"" Rundhaug said. ""It would be an awesome way to end my last Big Ten Indoor Championship.""
Junior pole-vaulter Jenny Soceka will also be contending for a conference win.
""Our Big Ten in pole vault is really competitive, and the top eight places are all above 13 feet,"" said Soceka, who is aiming for 13 feet, 9 inches - the automatic qualifying mark this weekend.
The Badgers are looking for a strong showing in the mile with senior Ann Detmer ranked fourth and junior Gwen Jorgensen ranked seventh in the Big Ten.
In addition, Wisconsin will be counting on sophomore distance runner Hanna Grinaker, junior jumper Chavon Robinson and throwers Amanda Hoeppner and Kayla Schultz to contribute to UW's point total this weekend.
""We are relatively healthy or almost completely healthy for the first time this season,"" head coach Jim Stintzi said. ""We've had a number of personal records the last few weekends, and I think we're ready to go.""
