SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University men's and women's track and field teams return to the University of Idaho campus Saturday for the Vandal Collegiate.
The Vandal Collegiate starts at 8 a.m., but the first event featuring the Bulldogs will be the men's mile at 10:15 a.m., followed by the women's mile at 10:30 a.m.
Head coach Pat Tyson said training for the Vandal Collegiate was marvelous last weekend.
"It was like birds of a feather flocking together. Nobody seemed to collide. It looked like an intense workout where everybody was nailing it," Tyson said. "Our goal on that workout was to do some simulations and do some things that would give them the confidence so when they do a race, they will say 'I've done it. I did my homework.' It was really good for me personally to see the kids dial in and get it done."
On the women's side, assistant coach Patty Ley said she is looking forward to the 3,000 meter race, which will feature Emily Thomas, Maggie Jones, Emily Albrecht and Becca Barad in the first heat, Teresa Makowski and Jaime Van Lith in the second heat.
"That should be a nice race for them. Idaho is holding the top women out after they busted up pretty good last weekend, but that's okay. It will be a good solid meet for the younger women," Ley said.
The Bulldog women will be without Lindsey Drake, who suffered a minor hip injury. Ley hopes to have her back in action for the University of Washington Final Qualifier March 3.
On the men's side, the Bulldogs will be without Chris Boyle. Tyson feels he is not quite ready to return to the track after suffering a minor leg injury prior to the University of Washington Invitational Jan. 28.
"We thought we could put him back in this week, but he might be a week or two away," Tyson said. "We are hoping to have him ready for the UW Last Chance Meet in two weeks."
Tyson said he is looking forward to the men's 3,000 meter race, which will feature Robert Walgren.
"This will be Robert's debut in the 3,000. He's been running the mile the last couple of times," Tyson said. "Tate Kelly is going to be in the 3,000 with him. Nate Gesell, who won this meet two weeks ago, will also be in that race. Colin O'Neil will be in that 3,000 heat among a few other rising stars."
Kelly missed the Runners Soul Open Feb. 4 due to a minor leg injury he suffered while training for the UW Invitational.
Tyson also made a few changes to his men's mile line-up.
"We are going to debut Andrew Walker in the mile. He hasn't run a mile for a while," Tyson said. "We're putting a couple of young kids in the race such as Nick Roche out of Tigard, Ore., and some of our veterans, Jared Christian, Scott Davis are going to be back in that mile race."
With two meets remaining in the indoor season schedule, Tyson and Ley believe their squads are ready for the outdoor season.
"They are going to pop outdoors," Ley said. "The outdoor season is going to be pretty outstanding for them. We've gotten really good work in this winter."
