Bulldogs Wrap Up Indoor Season With Husky Classic
2/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
SPOKANE, Wash. — While the indoor track season is winding down, Gonzaga's runners aren't ready to turn their attention to the outdoor season just yet. After all, one of the biggest indoor meets in the country still awaits them.
The Bulldogs wrap up the indoor portion of their schedule with the Husky Classic, which starts Friday at the University of Washington's Dempsey Indoor. The two-day meet is one of the most competitive and heavily attended meets of the entire collegiate indoor season.
"There are going to be great programs from all over the country, and they're bringing their elite runners," said Pat Tyson, head men's coach and program director. "This is as good a meet as you will find."
The Husky Classic marks the third time since mid-January that the Bulldogs have trekked to Seattle for a meet. They also competed in the UW Invitational and the UW Preview. Both of those meets also took place in Dempsey Indoor, meaning the Zags should at least be familiar with the setting.
Dempsey has a reputation as one of the fastest indoor tracks in the country. Given the number, and quality, of athletes attending this weekend's meet, Tyson fully expects to see some of the fastest times of the season.
"To have an opportunity to rub elbows and learn about running in elite races, this is the venue," he said. "You have to be able to get out there and mix it up and get some great performances."
The Husky Classic will feature athletes from some of the top programs in the country, including Arkansas, Arizona State, Florida, Florida State, Oregon and Stanford, to name just a few. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs have found success at Dempsey, setting three school records at that facility already this season.
"It can be a little bit intimidating," Gonzaga women's coach Patty Ley said of the high-profile field. "Most of the people we are taking over — the reason they are there is, yes, they have achieved at the highest level for us, but they are also the kids who can handle this."
Gonzaga runners will compete in just one event, the 5,000 meters, during Friday's opening session. Saturday, however, will see Zags race in the 800 meters, the mile and the 3,000 meters.
Following the Husky Classic, the Bulldogs will have a month off before beginning the outdoor season. Their first outdoor meet is the Dusty Lane Open on March 15 in Spokane.
"This weekend should be really good competition," Ley said. "Then we have to carry this as best we possibly can into the outdoor season."
