The ISU men’s track and field team will continue its travels this weekend with the biggest meet to date: the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

“Last year we started having outdoor practice after Spring Break and this year we have only had two practices outside,” said sophomore sprinter Nick Efkamp. “Fortunately we have been able to travel and get down to the warmer areas to run. We haven’t done horrible as a team, so I don’t think it’s a disadvantage.”

Efkamp, the winner in the 400-meter dash at the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships, hopes for success outdoors.

“It’s definitely a goal of mine and that would be the ideal situation and hopefully everything goes as I plan,” Efkamp said on the possibility of being indoor and outdoor Big 12 Champion in the 400-meter dash.

The men’s team got an eighth-place finish at indoor conference meet and will use that as motivation for the outdoor conference meet.

“We feel really good; the last two weeks we have been going really well in practice and have improved quite a bit from indoor Big 12s,” said sophomore thrower Jan Jeuschede. “I have been getting stronger in the weight room and am more ready than I have ever been before heading into the outdoor Big 12s.”

Jeuschede placed fourth at the indoor conference meet with a throw of 59-04.00 in shot put.

“My short-term goal is to throw over 60 feet and I have gotten close at 59-04.00, but didn’t quite get over. So that is still my goal and I don’t care too much about placements,” Jeuschede said. “If I throw far enough, that will place me pretty well. I’m more concerned about my individual effort and trying to exceed my personal record.”

The Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships begin on May 3, 2013 and come to a close on May 5.