For two Cyclone track runners, the memory of a lifetime could be made this weekend.

Men’s runner David Rotich and women’s runner Ada Anderson head to the NCAA Indoor Championships for track and field in Fayetteville, Ark. Friday and Saturday, and both will be looking to make a major impact in their respective races.

Rotich, who ran a 3:59.50 mile last weekend, said he knows he will have his hands full, but also knows he can handle it.

“It’s going to be a tough race,” Rotich said. “All the guys are really good. It’s going to come down to the last 50 meters, who’s going to have that kick at the end. I’m feeling confident; I think I’ll be all right.”

One of the most important steps in competing well for Rotich will be just making the finals.

“The prelim race is going to be tough – you’ve got to be ready to go,” said men’s coach Steve Lynn “You can’t just say ‘I’m waiting for tomorrow.'”

Making the NCAA Championships is special under any circumstances, but for Rotich, who is from Eldoret, Kenya, this weekend will be special in more ways than one. Rotich will be racing in front of his parents for the first time.

“They’ve heard about me running, but they’ve never seen me run,” Rotich said. “I’m sure it’s going to be something they can cherish – just to see their son running.”

Lynn acknowledged that the situation could be a distraction for some people, but said Rotich would be able to handle it.

“I think he’s mature enough that he’ll focus on the race when it’s race time,” Lynn said. “Anybody in the field can win, and that’s the way David [Rotich]’s approaching this is he’s one of the guys that has a chance to win.

“David [Rotich]’s always been able to finish races and that’s the most important thing at the NCAA’s – you stay out of trouble and you finish races.”

Since making the championships, Rotich has had a great time.

“That’s all I’ll sum it up to, it’s just fun. I’m just having fun,” Rotich said. “I’m loving it here.”

This isn’t the first time Anderson has been in this position.

Anderson, who competes in the 800-meter run, made the Indoor Championships in 2004 and 2005, and the Outdoor Championships in 2005. Anderson is chasing her third All-American mark.

“All-American is an awesome title – it’s awesome to work for that,” Anderson said. “It means a lot, it’s one of the highest accolades you can get in this sport, so it’s kind of like all your hard work pays off to consider yourself an All-American.”

Sprints coach Scott Roberts said the previous experience will help Anderson.

“This is Ada [Anderson]’s third year going to nationals, so she’s better and she’s been through this battle many times and knows what it takes to be successful,” Roberts said.

Coach Dick Lee said Anderson has shown she is ready to go out of her indoor career on top.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in her. She’s gone out prepared – she’s in great shape,” Lee said. “She’s had a great career here and she’s looking forward to going out of her indoor career with a great weekend.”

Lee also realizes that Anderson needs to have a good preliminary race on Friday in order to make the finals on Saturday.

“She runs aggressively – that helps in prelims. Some kids get caught not running their race,” Lee said. “The goal on Friday is to get to Saturday.”

Can Anderson win the championship?

“Of course, I’m not going in there thinking I can’t,” Anderson said. “I’ve got big expectations. I made All-American before. I want to make All-American again, but there’s something bigger there, so I’m just going to do the best I can.”

The preliminary race for the men’s mile will be at 6:45 p.m. Friday, and the finals will be 6:15 p.m. Saturday.

The women’s 800-meter dash preliminary will be at 4:45 p.m. Friday, and the finals will be at 6:45 p.m. Saturday. The championships will be shown tape-delayed at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN2.