With nearly 2,000 Division I athletes, it’s no ordinary track meet – it’s the Iowa State Classic.

“It’s really the premier track meet in the country outside the NCAA’s,” said men’s coach Steve Lynn. “The races are going to be really fast, and the events are going to be outstanding.”

The ISU men’s and women’s track teams will try to make their voices heard among the four other Big 12 and seven Big 10 teams, as well as other teams from around the Midwest and the nation. Among top 25 men’s teams competing are Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas and Kansas State. Top 25 women’s teams include Nebraska, UCLA and Alabama.

“As far as our guys are concerned, we’ll see how they step up and compete in here. I’m anxious to see,” Lynn said. “If you place in the top 10 in this meet in any event, you’ve done really well. You know that you can go compete with just about anybody then.”

The Cyclones will be looking to step up to the challenge, including Tony Douglas, who took first in the triple jump at last weekend’s UNI Classic.

“[Douglas] wants to get qualified for nationals, so he needs to get up to over 25 feet in the long jump and over 51 feet in the triple jump,” Lynn said. “That’s possible – we’d love to see that happen. Those are his goals for this weekend.”

Lynn said he would also like to see throwers Chase Madison and Kendall Fogle continue to do well after swapping between first and second in the last couple of meets.

“They would really like to see a big jump off of where they’ve been, and that’s completely possible,” Lynn said. “They’d both like to throw over 63 feet this year at some time. I want to see them back up over 60 again this week.”

As far as the runners are concerned, Lynn said he hopes they continue to run well.

“David Rotich, Dan Taylor, Brandon Rooney, Richard Newton – all those guys have been running really well, so I’m anxious to see how they do this week,” Lynn said. “Hurdlers have run well [and] the competition here is considerably stronger than what we’ve been against, so they’re really going to have to crank it up in order to get into the finals.”

On the women’s side, two-time All American Ada Anderson will be looking to have her best meet of the season against the strong competition in the 800-meter run.

“Ada Anderson has yet to have a very competitive race, [she] has not been challenged yet,” said sprints, hurdles and multi events coach Scott Roberts.

“I think this will be a chance for her to really nail down that automatic qualifying time and be ready to put our best foot forward in two weeks for that conference meet.”

Sara Boisen is also looking for a national qualifying mark in the 800-meter run.

“We’re going to try to get her to hit a qualifying mark for the national championships as well this weekend,” Roberts said. “This will be a good chance to show what she can do in that 800.”

In the hurdles, Rebecca Williams will also be looking to rise to the challenge.

“Getting a chance to get in a very competitive situation will be good for her,” Roberts said. “She’s kind of a gamer, and usually does best when the heat’s on.”

Jumps and vaults coach Ron McEachran said he is hoping for his athletes to have their best competitions of the season so far, including Jummy Alowonle, as well as Priya Hoze and Leigh Wagner, who will be competing unattached.

“We’re hoping for some season’s bests obviously, and also to see how well their techniques hold up under pressure, closer to what they will experience in the conference meet.”

Events will start at 2:00 p.m. Friday with the women’s weight throw and the women’s 60-meter hurdles. Action will begin at 9:45 a.m. Saturday with the women’s 3,000-meter run.