With just one week until the Big 12 Track and Field Indoor Championships, the Cyclones will split up this weekend and head to three different meets; the Iowa Open, the Arkansas Qualifier and the Snowshoe Open.

Nine total events rank in the Top-20 nationally for both men’s and women’s. The Cyclones have the top men’s 800-meter group, sixth-ranked shot put, eighth-ranked mile, and ninth-ranked 3,000-meter run and weight throw for men’s. For women, they place at No. 15 for the weight throw, No. 16 for 3,000-meter, and No. 17 for the 60-meter hurdles.

“We’ve been working really hard and I think the performances hadn’t shown that based on fitness we’ve been in,” director of track and field Jeremy Sudbury said Monday. “We’ve had some good times but this weekend finally saw us get over the hump in regards to what we’re actually capable of.”

This week will serve as a last-minute prep for the Big 12 Championships as the field of participants on the Iowa State side is smaller.

“Minnesota will serve as an opportunity for our throwers to refine their technique and make sure they’re all set, so we’re sending a small group up there,” Sudbury said. “We’re sending a group over to Iowa, more of our multiers and field events for final tweaks.”

Arkansas will serve a different purpose for the Cyclones this week to qualify for nationals.

“We’re going to run a distance medley relay against some of the best teams in the country,” Sudbury said. “The intent there is to qualify for nationals. They take the top 12 times to move onto nationals.”

The 800-meter group is also running in Arkansas, led by Jason Gomez. School record-holder Nehemia Too will run the mile.

“The athletes that aren’t racing this weekend will have some time to relax and rest up for Big 12s as we’ve had a big block of training lately,” Sudbury said.

All meets and events will take place Friday. The Big 12 Championships are set for Feb 24 and 25.