Bowling Green State University

The Bowling Green State University track and field team will open the outdoor portion of their 2010-11 season on Saturday (March 26) when they host the 2011 Northwest Ohio Relays.

The season's inaugural outdoor meet will be held at BGSU's Whittaker Track, which is located at the southeast corner of Doyt L. Perry Stadium on the BGSU campus.

Opposing the Falcons this weekend will be athletes from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich., Case Western and Ferris State. Members of the BGSU Track Club will be competing in the meet, as will members of the Falcons' cross country team. The competitors from the cross country team will be competing with the track club or as unattached individuals.

After a month-long hiatus following the end of the indoor season, head coach Cami Paulson believes that this meet is quite important. "This weekend will serve as an opportunity to get back into competition mode, as well as to continue to get in some good, quality work to prepare for the future," Paulson said. "The meet will be small but it will allow us to get done what we need to as a team moving forward."

Along with the adjustment of returning to competition, the team will be faced with adjusting to new competitive conditions -- both in terms of outdoor-exclusive events (such as the javelin and steeplechase) and weather factors

"(The athletes) will need to be prepared to deal with changing weather conditions -- wind, rain, cold, heat, humidity -- throughout the season," Paulson said. "The more opportunities we have to experience all weather conditions, the better prepared we will be as a team to perform well regardless of conditions once we reach the Mid-American Conference meet in May."

On Saturday, no precipitation is expected; however, the mix of sun and clouds is only slated to produce temperatures in the mid- to upper-30s -- a stark contrast from the temperature controlled confines of an indoor track.

Below is a schedule of events, including anticipated competitors from the track and field team. Scheduled athletes from the men's cross country team are also included for spectator convenience. Athlete participation is subject to change.

Complete results will be posted following the conclusion of the meet on the women's track and field page at BGSUFalcons.com.

Field Events (Women followed by Men)

11:00am -- Pole Vault (Christina Gagliardo, Rachelle Muckensturm)

11:00am -- Hammer (Jessie Rowland, Ashley Harris, Brooke Pleger, Katie Fazekas, Brittany Hodges)

11:00am -- High Jump (Tatijana Jacobson)

11:00am -- Long Jump (Darlene Anderson, Janelle Campbell, Rachael Doughty)

1:00pm -- Discus (Jessie Rowland, Ashley Harris, Brittany Hodges, Brooke Pleger)

1:00pm -- Triple Jump (Janelle Campbell)

3:00pm -- Shot Put (Ashley Harris, Jessie Rowland, Brittany Hodges, Brooke Pleger)

3:00pm -- Javelin (Paige Lane, Meghan Niehaus, Anna Pomento, Jessie Rowland, Josh Franek)

Running Events (Women followed by Men)

(We will follow a rolling time schedule so please listen for calls)

12:00pm -- 4 X 1600m Relay