This weekend the Bulldog track and field teams will compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Mankato, Minn. 

Events will run from Thursday- Saturday at the Mark Schuck Outdoor Track & Field Complex, with Bulldog competition starting on Thursday, May 9th at 1:30pm with the Heptathlon. The meet will come to a close after the conclusion of the running events (starting at 1:00pm) on Saturday, May 11th. 

A total of 14 women's and 11 men's teams will be set to compete at the event. The top three place achievers in each event, as well as the top two relay teams for each event, will be deemed all conference performers. 

Both the UMD women's and men's teams are expected to make a strong showing at the Championship, as both were previously ranked 5th in the NSIC preseason poll. 

"Our men have the potential for one of the best finishes in program history. We still have to show up, and things have to fall into place, but there is exciting energy in that potential," said Coach Karly Brautigam. 

A huge contributing event group to this exciting potential for the men is once again their throws group. This group is expected to earn placings across all four throws events, coming from the group of Eli Bicek, Jackson Weston, and Colton Kostynick, and Will Heydt. 

Kostynick is currently ranked fourth in the Discus, with Weston and Bicek currently ranked eighth and 10th in Shot Put, respectively. 

Bicek also holds a notable sixth place ranking in Hammer Throw, while Heydt sits 10th in the Javelin. He is also poised for the podium in the Triple Jump where he is ranked sixth. 

Austin Antony will be yet another returning asset on the men's side, running both the 5,000m and 10,000m, the latter of which he is ranked second, and the former, 10th. 

The men are also expected to see some success in the 3,000m Steeplechase. This is largely due to Lucas Selman and his second-place conference ranking in the event, followed by Alex Heidorn, who currently sits sixth. 

On the women's side, Coach Brautigam anticipates a balanced effort over multiple event groups. "This will likely elevate our placing from the last couple years in the conference. Our anchor is our middle-distance group, but we have exciting opportunities across the board in sprints, relays, and field events. Ultimately, you need to have that to be successful at the team level." 

That middle distance stronghold will consist of Madeline Verkerke and Francine Seidel in the 1500m, who are ranked seventh and ninth respectively, as well as Savannah Schley and Rachel Ulrich in the 800m, who are currently sitting at third and fifth in the conference. 

A few of these podium-bound women are also expected to be key factors in a top finishing spot for the team's 4x400m relay, currently ranked fifth in the conference.  

Sprinter and hurdler Megan Gilles will be another asset to this relay, as well as the women's 4x100m, which is also currently ranked fifth. Gilles is also set to make a run for the podium in the 400m Hurdles, in which she sits sixth. 

Another Bulldog with a heavy workload ahead of her is Jacqi Rae, taking on not only the Heptathlon, but the open 100m hurdles and shot put in addition. She is also a member of the 4x100m relay team. Currently placed at seventh in the Hep and sixth in the shot put, Jacqi is positioned for plenty of podium time this weekend. 

You can watch the weekend's events live through the NSIC network (for a fee). Live results are also available here.