Blue to get 'feet wet' in Arizona

This weekend marks the beginning of the end of an era in Michigan men's track and field.

The Wolverines head to the Castillo Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. tomorrow and Saturday to jump start their outdoor season.

The meet is the first of coach Jack Harvey's 24th and final season with the Wolverines. Harvey, who announced his retirement during the indoor season, has won six Big Ten Outdoor Championships during his illustrious career.

But this year the Wolverines aren't entering the season with expectations of capturing a seventh title for Harvey. Instead, the young team hopes to gain experience and improve upon its ninth place indoor finish.

For many of the young athletes, this weekend's invitational is their first outdoor meet wearing maize and blue.

The meet will show them where they stand among other more experienced competitors.

"We're looking to gain some experience," freshman Jeremy Schneider said. "It's a long outdoor season. We want to get our feet wet"

Many Wolverines are also bouncing back from injuries sustained during the indoor season and will use the weekend to see if they are fully healed. Among them are freshman high jumper Robert Arnold, freshman sprinter Ike Okenwa and Schneider.

"I just want to prove to myself that I'm healthy again," Okenwa said. "There's not going to be any world-class times or anything. We're just trying to get our names out there."

Fortunately for the Wolverines, there are several healthy upperclassmen who seem poised to lead the team through the beginning of the season.

Sophomore hurdler Jonathan Cohen, sophomore pole vaulter Charles DeWildt and junior distance runners Dan Snyder and Jay Cantin have been consistent throughout the indoor season and have looked strong in practice.

In addition, a healthy and reenergized Derek Applewhite is looking to improve on his indoor season. The freshman hurdler has lost 10 pounds and is poised for a breakout season.

"Derek's been looking real fast in practice," Okenwa said.

With strong performances from its upperclassmen and consistent improvement from its strong freshman class the team could rebound from its indoor finish and send Coach Harvey off in style.

"I think the experience from the indoor season will really help us," Schneider said. "We can really surprise some teams in the Big Ten."

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