Track has impressive showing at ISU Classic, takes on Big East championships

Tim Nedow likes to set records. Which is perhaps why the men's track and field shotputter did it again at the ISU Classic the weekend of Feb. 11.

Nedow threw a 20.35-meter giving him not only the top spot at the meet, but also an indoor shot put record for DePaul.

"Last weekend was a pretty good weekend," said head track and field coach Dave Dopek. "A lot of people were running odd events. "

One event that was particularly odd was the 600 yard dash, but that didn't stop the Blue Demons from making it memorable. Freshman Jacqueline Kasal decided to give Nedow a run for his money by setting the Blue Demon record in the 600 yard dash when she finished with a seventh-place time of 1:24.32.

"That's the only meet I know of that runs that race, but it's nice to see her have the foot speed she should," said Dopek. "It should pay big dividends."

Big East indoor conference championships are where DePaul track and field will really be putting their skills to the test.

Senior throwers Nedow and Alana Kovacs will be looking for high marks as well as a few underclassman who will be making their first appearances at the Big East indoor conference championships. About half of the competitors from DePaul this year are freshmen or sophomores, and Dopek is looking forward to seeing what these young Blue Demons can do on a big stage.

DePaul has representation not only in the throwing categories but also running races such as the women's 20 meter, men's and women's 1,000 meter, women's half mile as well as women's 60 meter and 200 meter.

Perennial cross country star Matthew Graham took on both the 5k and 3k Saturday and Sunday respectively. Despite what would seem like a grueling two days of racing Dopek was looking for "a breakthrough performance" from the junior.

"Matt has primarily placed in the top three," said Dopek. "I'm fairly certain he's going for a conference championship in the 5k."

And the grueling schedule is something a lot of runners will be experiencing since Dopek says many competitors run both events. "There's nothing to lose by running both," he said. "There won't be a lot of 100 percent fresh legs in that race."

And for the first time since DePaul has been in the Big East conference the Demons competed for an award in high jump. Freshman Joe Boesso qualified for the competition at the Chicagoland Championships.

"He's got loads of talent. We're just trying to catch him up," said Dopek.

The Big East indoor championships usher in the track and field outdoor competition and serve as almost a mid-way point for the Track and Field season.

"The focus at this meet really is to gauge where we're at right now," said Dopek. "It's an impressive situation to have 21 different athletes competing."