Wichita, Kan. - The Friends University Track and Field teams are off to a strong start after three indoor meets thus far this season. Both men's and women's teams look to contend for conference championships next weekend at Wichita State University.

The women have had three national qualifiers already in juniors Jordan Arnold, Karissa Cominator, and Cecilia Burley. Arnold ran 17:39 in the 5000 meters at the University of Nebraska on February 3^rd to break her own school record by 15 seconds. Cominator ran 18:21 at the same meet, her second best time she has ever run. Burley ran 10:20 in the 3000 meters at KU on January 27^th. Burley's race earned her KCAC Athlete of the Week honors.

Other highlights for the women thus far in the indoor season are the following:

Junior Kristie Adams placed 4^th at Central Missouri in the 600, running 1:34.27. This is the best time in the conference.

Junior Lacy McFadden ran 9.63 to place 6^th in the 60 hurdles at Central Missouri. This is just .06 away from the school record.

Sophomore Ashley Lyons threw 39-5 in the shot put to place 6^th at Central Missouri. This is the best throw in the conference.

Sophomore Connie Collins and junior Tina Clausen each pole vaulted 9 feet at Central Missouri. These are two of the best jumps in the conference.

The men have also had three national qualifiers already in seniors Quentin Benning, Javier Ceja, and Geovanni Popoca. Benning threw 15.84 meters in the shot put, breaking his own school record, at Central Missouri on Feb. 4^th. Ceja ran 14:53 for 5000 meters at Nebraska to break Matt Ditzler's school record by 5 seconds. Popoca ran 15:08 at Nebraska, 25 seconds better than his previous personal best.

Other highlights for the men thus far in the indoor season are the following:

Sophomore Daniel Herbert won the 800 meters at Central Missouri in 1:58.

Freshman Mitch Heller placed 7^th in the 3000 meters at Central Missouri in 9:23.

Senior Tim Patterson placed 5^th in the 1000 meters at KU in 2:37.

Dylan Biedron high jumped 6-4.75 at KU, a new personal best.

Frank Miles placed 3^rd in the triple jump at Central Missouri, jumping 44-10.

The KCAC Championship meet for indoors is Friday, February 10^th and Saturday February 11^th at the Heskett Center at WSU.