While the new semester is offering new challenges for students, the ISU track and field teams are tackling one of their own — trying to get back into shape after nearly a month off of practice.

This weekend the Cyclones head to Lincoln, Neb. for the Adidas Classic, their first meet of 2005.

Women’s head coach Dick Lee said it was up to the athletes as to how much training they participated in during semester break.

Men’s head coach Steve Lynn said the men used working out as their primary motivation over break, but they didn’t have a schedule to follow. Both coaches agreed that there was a period of adjustment once they returned to school.

“When we come back, we’re not as good as when we left,” Lee said. “We spend a week building back up, and it takes two to three weeks to get to where [we] were when they left, and we have to plan that into our routine.”

Lynn said the men are still in the process of getting back into condition.

“By the end of next week, they should be back on schedule,” he said.

There are many key returnees for the women’s team this season, as they have junior hurdler Rebecca Williams, a national qualifier during last year’s outdoor season, as well as junior Ada Anderson, a national qualifier in the 800-meter run during last year’s indoor season.

Lee said both rank among the top in the Big 12 in their respective events.

Lee also mentioned juniors Jenny Mockler, a middle distance runner, and Erica Lynn, a scorer in the heptathlon, as well as sophomore hurdler Sara Boisen as his top returning runners.

A strong group of jumpers also return, led by sophomores Agata Kosuda and Leigh Wagner, senior Jummy Alowonle and junior Priya Hoze.

“A couple of jumpers may redshirt,” Lee said.

“At this point, we don’t know and we may not know until mid-February. We may have some compete unattached to protect [their eligibility so they] can still redshirt.”

Lee said some of the newcomers that have a lot of potential include Lauren Lewis, a middle distance runner, and Meaghan Peoples, who competes in the 400 meter hurdles.

“[Lewis did well] at the meet in December, and we’ll use January and February to see where she has success,” Lee said.

“Meaghan is stronger outdoors. We’re unsure for indoors. Short hurdles are not her best race, we don’t really know until midseason.”

On the men’s side, top senior returnees in the field events include throwers Jamal Salahuddin and Tony Stewart, hurdler Dan Zelik and long and triple jumper Daniel Kaczmarczyk.

Top returning runners include senior sprinter James Lopes, junior middle distance runner Jared Graham, and senior distance athletes Craig Cartier, Corey Ylinen and Ryan Pence.

Distance runner Dan Taylor and jumper Tony Douglas will be redshirting the indoor season.

Lynn said newcomer Tony Stanfield should be in the mix in the 4×400-meter relay with Graham, sophomore Elijah Braimah and juniors Justin Sherman and Tom Ries.

Another newcomer who Lynn said could do well is Oliver Koenig, a sprinter and long jumper who is coming off of a foot injury.

This weekend is the first meet for Iowa State, but it will be competing against schools that have already had two or three meets.