The excitement is high for Jan Jeuschede and Daniel Everett as they journey down south to Birmingham, Ala., this week to represent Iowa State at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

After successful performances at the Big 12 Championships in Ames last weekend, both athletes punched their tickets to the tournament that features some of the best collegiate athletes in the country. 

The meet will not be either of the athlete’s first rodeos with NCAA tournaments.

Jeuschede, who will compete in the shot put, qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championship three consecutive years. The outdoor championship takes the top-24 people, while the indoor championships only takes the top-16, making it harder to qualify for indoors.

For Everett, this season is his first competing as a Cyclone after running at Columbia University in New York. Everett competed at the NCAA Indoor Championship once before in the distance medley relay during his time at Columbia, making this his first individual qualification.

Half of the athletes Everett will compete against at nationals were present at the Iowa State Classic, making the competition familiar to him. 

“It’s pretty easy to be a little anxious going up against some of the best guys in the country,” Everett said. “Its nice to know that I can hang with these guys.”

Everett, who will compete in the 5,000-meter run, will have a small crowd of his own to cheer him on this weekend. His parents, who live in Atlanta, Ga., will make the trip to watch their son compete.

Along with his parents and a few family members from Texas, his high school coach, who hasn’t seen him compete collegiately, will be in attendance as well.

“It’s awesome to be able to have him come up and watch,” Everett said. “I was really close with him. I had a really successful two years in high school when I ran for him.”

Jeuschede’s confidence in his performance has led to high goals for nationals. Jeuschede is focusing on his first three throws of the competition and cited a difference in his performance to patience with his upper body.

“I think I’m going to compete and throw really well,” Jeuschede said.  “I’m definitely very nervous but more excited than anything else.”

Despite some nervousness, Jeuschede wants to have fun and have a good experience. He hopes to throw a personal best and place in the top eight in order to snag a first-team All-American spot.

“It’s going to be a lot harder just to make the finals,” Jeuschede said.  “Usually I do well at big meets. They push me quite a bit.”

After a couple weeks of low-volume practices, both athletes are beginning to feel their best physically.

“I’ve been feeling really good,” Everett said. “I’m excited to see what I can do on fresh legs going into nationals.”

The NCAA Championships will kick off at noon Friday starting with the men’s heptathlon.