Thirty-six members of the Iowa women’s track and field team will head to Ames to compete in the ISU Classic today and Saturday. Competition will begin at noon today and run through Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Layne Anderson said he is hoping for a “comprehensive meet” across all events.

The Hawkeyes are taking more members of the squad than they have for any other meet of the indoor season so far.

Anderson noted that this weekend’s competition is a good meet for the Hawkeyes, and said competing at Iowa State has “built-in advantages,” because the track at the Lied Recreational Center in Ames is 300 meters — longer than the average indoor track at 200 meters. The larger the track, the faster and easier it is for athletes to run on.

Another advantage to competing in Ames is that it is closer to home than most away meets have been this season, cutting down on travel time and costs.

The advantages of competing at ISU aside, the overriding goal of the meet is simple, Anderson said — have “as much success as possible.”

— by Amy Tiffany