For Penn track and field athletes, the next two weeks will be hectic. With the fanfare of the 111th Penn Relays this weekend followed by the Heptagonal Championships next weekend all on top of the University's finals week, these athletes sure have their hands full.
"I try to keep all of these things in mind," women's coach Gwen Harris said.
With so many big events coming up it is important for track athletes and coaches to remain focused on the goals they have set for the season.
"The Penn Relays are part of our focus, obviously we also want to do well here, but our main focus is on Heps," Harris said.
"A good showing at Penn Relays is in the back of our minds," men's coach Charlie Powell said. "You can do whatever you want at Penn Relays and it doesn't get you any points for a championship."
Despite the lack of significance regarding the team's goals this weekend, all of the athletes will be looking to perform at the highest level and have fun competing at the largest track and field event in the country.
"It's a great time to have fun with track and field ... some of the guys are really psyched," Powell said.
Although many Penn runners have previous high school experience at the Relays, for some it is their first time competing in such a large scale event.
When Powell asked middle distance runner Tim Kaijala about how he thought he would feel competing in front of 50,000 people, the freshman told his coach, "I don't even know if I've been in the same place as 50,000 people before," according to Powell.
Since so many people are watching the Quakers on their home track, they are expecting a strong showing from some of their relay teams.
The men will be contending to make the finals in the Championship of America in two events, the distance medley relay and the 4x800-meter relay. The Championship of America final consists of the top college teams competing at the Relays.
"I think our 4x800-meter relay is one of the best in the country," Powell said.
The team consists of senior Scott Sebens, sophomore Carson Schmiett, freshman Kaijala and junior 800m school record holder Courtney Jaworski at the anchor position. If all of the relay members hold to their personal bests it will be a new school record for Penn and a likely Championship of America finals berth.
The distance medley relay and the 4xMile relay are also competing for top honors. The DMR has already set the indoor school mark at a time even faster than the outdoor record, so the Quakers are looking to make it official at an outdoor venue.
The 4xMile team -- consisting of sophomore John Brackmann and seniors Nolan Tully, Steve Hayes and Mark Materna -- is coming off of a short hiatus and should be fresh and healthy.
The young women's squad will not be intimidated by such large crowds according to Harris.
"Most of the girls have run here before," she said.
The 4x400m relay should prove to be the most interesting event of the day since the Quakers women will be squaring off against all the Ivy League teams they will face next weekend at Heptagonals.
The relay team of rookie Jesse Carlin, junior Dana McCurdy, sophomore Shaunee Morgan and senior sprinter Izu Emeagwali is looking for revenge after a controversial loss in the physical 4x400m event at the Indoor Heptagonal Championships earlier this winter.
"You never know what's gonna happen," Harris said.
However, the runners currently wearing red and blue will not be the only ones that Quakers fans will recognize.
Brian Chaput, a former NCAA champion in the javelin and a 2004 Penn graduate, will return to the Relays to compete in the Men's Olympic Development Javelin on Friday afternoon.
Also, 2003 Penn graduate Sam Burley will be running in the Olympic Development Mile.
