Track and Field Prepares For Duke Invitational

April 2, 2009

MILWAUKEE-- The Marquette University track and field squad returns to action Friday afternoon at the Duke/asics Invitational in Durham, N.C. Competition will kick off Friday at 11 a.m. CT and continue through the men's 5,000-meter run at 8:20 p.m. The women's discus and 5,000 meters will begin action on Saturday at 8 a.m. and the meet will continue through the men's 4x800-meter relay at 4:50 p.m.

"This weekend we are mostly going to see the distance crew, the longer sprinters and the high jumpers," said head coach Bert Rogers. "Our goal for the first three weekends was that everybody would get two opportunities against really good competition. This meet is a pretty big two-day meet and we are going to see the best schools on the East Coast. There are all kinds of opportunities to get done what we needed to accomplish this weekend."

After being named as the first ever BIG EAST Track Athlete of the Week two weeks ago, junior Jayne Grebinski returns to attempt to better her school record in the 5,000 meters. Recording an NCAA Regional standard at the Georgia Relays, along with Grebinski, was Erynn James who returns to top her personal record of 1.81 meters (5-08.75) in the high jump.

For the men, school record holder Tyler O'Brien will look to improve his mark in the 200-meter dash and break Olympian Ralph Metcalfe's school record in the 100.

Over 50 colleges and universities will take part in the two-day meet along with several club teams and unattached athletes.

The Duke Invitational started in 1988 and has been held every year since with this weekend marking the 22nd time the event has been held.