Six Iowa State Cyclones are competing at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which started last night in Baton Rouge, La.

Three-time All-American Gina Curtis heads into the meet ranked first nationally in the women’s high jump. Earlier this year, she won the Big 12 title and a Drake Relays title, jumping 6-1 1/4, a school record and a personal best.

“Gina is one of the favorites to win,” ISU men’s head coach Steve Lynn said. “Really all of the other ones have a legitimate chance to be all-Americans. It could be a good meet in those regards.”

Lynn was concerned that weather might be a factor for Curtis. The senior has had four knee surgeries during her career at Iowa State. Lynn said if it rains, Curtis’ chances could be compromised.

“With the knee surgeries she’s had, she really can’t plant in the rain,” Lynn said. “It really hurts her.”

Teammate Lisa Griebel, a five-time All-American in the shot put, is ranked 15th in the nation in the women’s shot put with a throw of 53-7 3/4.

Lenka Kalabova will compete in the 800 meters for the second time at the championships. She qualified for the meet with a winning time of 2:06.33 at the Big 12 Championships.

Fellow All-American Barbara Szlendakova will be competing in the heptathlon competition. She is ranked 11th entering competition after placing second at the Big 12 Championships with 5,370 points. She also repeated as the Drake Relays heptathlon winner this year.

On the men’s side, Joey Brunkhorst will compete at the championships for the third time in the high jump. His jump of 7-2 1/2 ranks him 13th in the nation. Brunkhorst claimed both the Big 12 and Drake Relays title earlier this year.

Distance runner Mike Mwangong enters the 10,000-meter run with the ninth-fastest time of 28:50.67. Mwangwong also won the Big 12 title in the race with a time of 29:47.26.

Lynn, who has gone to the NCAA Championships several times since his first in 1979, said Baton Rouge has been favorable to his squads before.

“We had a national champion the last time we were here in Baton Rouge,” Lynn said.

– additional reporting by Jeff Raasch