Outdoor track and field season has finally arrived for the ISU men’s track and field team. The Cyclones will travel to Tempe, Ariz., for the ASU Invitational this weekend for the first outdoor meet this season.

ISU coach Corey Ihmels said that since the end of indoor season, the runners have been putting in good, hard, work and have, for the most part, avoided injuries. He also said that the first couple meets may not be very “glamorous” but the work that is done now will help them as the season goes along.

“Going outdoors, sometimes, that transition can be difficult,” Ihemls said. “We’re gearing up, especially the distance crew, towards Stanford and Mt. SAC. That’s where we’ll be ready to run so that’s why we’ll be staying back with most of the distance kids.”

One middle-distance runner that will compete in Tempe is redshirt freshman Brandon Barnes. Barnes will be running in the 1,500-meter and is looking forward to it as it will be his first trip to Arizona State.

“It should be pretty fun,” Barnes said. “There’s lots of good competition down there, and so I hope to have a good, fun weekend.”

Barnes also said that while indoor season is a good thing to have, outdoor season is “where all of the fun is at” and is really looking forward to getting outside. Normally a middle-distance runner, Barnes has never competed in the 1,500 meter run. He said that is should be a good experience for him.

“I just want to go out there and have a good race,” Barnes said. “I’m not sure what that exactly is yet, but I’ll be able to feel it at the end of the race.”

Ihmels said that he wanted Barnes to run the 1,500-meter race to get valuable over-distance training in and to build strength that he will use later on in the season.

“Brandon just needs a little bit more experience, and Arizona State is going to be a perfect meet for us in the sense that it’s going to be competitive but not too highly competitive,” Ihmels said. “It will be a good place to start.”

The ASU Invitational will be held on the campus of Arizona State University on Friday and Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.