The stage is set and the lights are on. The competition is prepared, but Iowa State is ready, too.

Of the many teams making the trip to Ames this weekend for the Iowa State Classic, eight teams currently reside in the coaches top 25 division I track and field poll. With these prestigious teams also comes some of the nation’s best competition. Some of the athletes, however, feel that competing against the nation’s best brings out the best in them — particularly the throwers.

“This is the first meet where I have some really good competition, the Classic teams come from all over, so some of the guys will be top 10 in the country,” said thrower Zac Brouillette. “I like to be with guys who are at or above my level, and guys that throw far usually push me and I want to chase them.”

Freshman thrower Luke Pinkelman also said he feels the competition motivates him to throw farther and also to prepare a little bit more.

Brouillette and Pinkelman come into the meet as two of the highest ranked throwers in the nation in their respective events. Both have already secured a spot on the list for NCAA Indoor Championship hopefuls, and look to improve the marks they have already set at this weekend’s meet.

“Those two guys, everyday, bring it. Every single day they come out and work hard and that’s exactly what we’re looking for.They’re wonderful hard working guys,” assistant coach John Dagata said. “It’s going to be great, we’ve got probably the best throwers in the country coming in so it’s going to be steep and to make the final will be difficult, and I think making the final is very good. A win isn’t likely but it’s possible, but it’s going to be tough.”

With the prestige of this meet a lot of pressure can be put on these athletes, but assistant coach Nate Wiens feels that some of his athletes won’t necessarily take it as pressure.

“I think some people will perceive it as pressure and some people will perceive it as motivation, it’s about 50-50 right now,” Wiens said.

A standout on the sprint squad, Clinton Martin, is coming off a big performance this past weekend in Nebraska, finishing sixth in the 200-meter dash.

The distance squad also seems to stack up well against the competition, especially coming off the performances they had in Lincoln. Hillary Bor looks to perform well in the mile, coming off of the 8 minute, 14 second time he ran in the 3,000-meter special last weekend. Distance runner Yonas Mebrahtu also looks to continue his streak of great performances in the 5,000 meter run.

This weekend’s meet will give those guys on the team who will possibly compete for a conference championship a chance to get used to facing top-notch competition and also help them prepare for the Big 12 Championship meet.