M. Track will run with rodents in Boston

The Boston University Fieldhouse isn't pretty, but it's fast. The site for this weekend's Terrier Classic, the Fieldhouse brings out a variety of opinions among the competing members of the Penn men's track team. Many people are disgusted by the rodents running rampant throughout the building among other things. Nevertheless, some people like it. "I like it because it is sketchy -- it looks like an old army building," said Penn thrower Kyle "Biff" Turley. The Quakers will be traveling to Boston to compete in one of the nation's most competitive collegiate track meets Saturday. Some of the notable schools that will also be there are the host school, Boston University, Boston College, Princeton and Villanova. "A number of the Ivies are going to be there," Penn coach Nathan Taylor said. "It is typically one of the best track meets in the country." The Quakers are looking to improve upon their times after a good team performance at the Cornell Invitational last weekend that resulted in a win. Several athletes have already qualified for the IC4A meet in March, but others are hoping to turn in good times on the banked track in Boston. "Hopefully, we're going to run faster, and the guys are going to discover that they can do better than they've been doing," Taylor said. "We're looking for some better times. "It's not the most attractive place, but it's one of the fastest tracks in the country." Last year, Penn senior Robin Martin placed sixth in the 800-meter run despite running the seventh fastest time in the nation for the year, a time of 1 minute, 50.57 seconds. This year, the meet will feature the world record holder in the 55-meter dash. Some of Penn's best athletes will have the opportunity to scope out the competition on the national level. Penn senior Stan Anderson -- who qualified for the NCAA meet in the triple jump last week -- will likely encounter the same faces both in Boston and at the NCAAs. Although first place finishes seem to plentiful for Anderson lately, he might have to work harder at this meet. "I've had stiff competition in the past -- I've never won [at the Terrier Classic] -- it's nothing new to not win," Anderson said. "There are going to be some of the best jumpers I have seen this year." After the Terrier Classic, the Quakers won't face the same caliber of competition until the Heptagonals and the IC4As at the end of the season. The track team would like to send the other schools in the Ancient Eight a message they plan to contend for the title.