The ISU track teams will attempt to divide and conquer this weekend.

The women’s team will split its members between three meets and the men will compete at two.

Both the men and the women will be represented at the Kansas Relays and the UNI Twilight meet. Some members of the women’s team will also participate in the Mt. SAC Relays in California.

Women’s assistant coach Scott Roberts said the Kansas Relays will be a major focus for his team.

“Some of our top kids will be competing down there,” Roberts said. “It has traditionally been a meet that has been considered one of the top meets in the country on this weekend.”

One member of the team who will compete at Kansas is Gina Rickert, who has won the high jump fairly easily at the season’s first two outdoor meets. One of the top high jumpers in the nation, Rickert may find stronger competition this weekend.

Hurdlers Sarah Klein and Rebecca Williams will also make the trip to Kansas. Both freshmen, Roberts is excited about their potential.

“You’ll really be hearing a lot about them in the next few years,” he said.

Klein and Williams both specialize in the 400-meter hurdles. Klein has already qualified for the NCAA Regional meet, and Williams has come within one-tenth of a second of the 1:01.50 cutoff.

Williams will also be joined by Ardith Johnson in the 100-meter hurdles.

Jummy Alowonle and DaVonna Carr will represent Iowa State in the long jump at Kansas.

Iowa State’s top representative in Cedar Falls will be thrower Susan Sherman. She is expected to compete in the discus, the hammer throw and the shot put.

In general, the segment of the team competing at the UNI Twilight meet will be looking more for continued development rather than top competition, Roberts said.

“It will be a lot more of a low-key meet, but it will be a good preparation for next weekend,” he said, referring to the upcoming Drake Relays April 24-26.

The California contingent will include most of the women’s middle distance runners, Roberts said.

Stephanie Suntken, Jenny Mockler and Carey Morris will run in the 800-meter run at the Mt. SAC Relays, while Jessica Huff and Cara Van Eck will compete in the 1500-meter run.

Roberts said the teams split in order to find the best meets for different athletes.

“Sometimes we split our squads simply to get our kids into the best competition possible,” he said. “It’s a good way for everybody to compete against competition that will help them.”

The men’s team will split its top talent fairly evenly between Kansas and Cedar Falls. The throwing squad will compete at the UNI Twilight meet, while the sprinters and top long jumper Daniel Kaczmarczyk will be in Kansas.

Many of the men’s middle distance runners will not run, and will instead train through the weekend, men’s coach Steve Lynn said. Also, some of the middle distance runners are recovering from injuries.

Craig Cartier and Kristjan Hunter suffered minor injuries last weekend. Lynn said that while they won’t run this weekend, they expect to be ready for the Drake Relays. Abraham Rotich is dealing with a nagging foot injury, and Lynn said that while Rotich is eager to run, he needs to rest.

Mitch Anderson and Corey Ylinen are two middle distance runners who will be in action, and they will be on double duty, competing at both meets.

Lynn said his weight men could have a breakthrough meet.

“I really think that the discus throwers could have a great day at UNI,” he said.

“They like to throw at that facility.”

At the Kansas Relays, Lynn is hoping for some regional-qualifying times.

“It’s preparation for Drake, but if the weather is right, the competition will be there,” he said. “It’s a good chance to get some fast times.”

Lynn said that the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400-meter relays could both meet the regional qualifying standard.

“I hope that we can place in [both relays],” he said.

With over 50 schools expected at the meet, that would be no small feat.