Despite setting some lofty records, the UW men's track team remains focused on the Big Ten meet and the NCAA meet coming in the next two weeks.
Undoubtedly, the most outstanding of the team's achievements this past weekend is senior Matt Tegenkamp's record set in the 5,000-meter race. Shattering his previous record by eight seconds, Tegenkamp ran an astounding 13:36.48-currently the fastest time in the world. He humbly admits, however, he is not holding his breath-he is sure his time will be beaten. Although he felt confident going into this weekend's Husky Invitational in Seattle, Wash., Tegenkamp's focus was not on setting a record.
\We weren't necessarily expecting to run that fast, but we were expecting to qualify for national. Everything came together. ... I knew that I could go into this weekend and probably get a record, but it really wasn't a focus.""
Head coach Ed Nuttycombe had more to be happy about than just his prized senior distance runner's performance-his entire distance team displayed exceptional depth, finishing first, third, fifth and seventh, with each of these runners qualifying for the NCAA's, as well as two more runners posting provisional qualifying times, finishing ninth and tenth.
While the distance men were lighting up the west coast, the sprinters, jumpers and throwers were making strides closer to home at the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa.
Senior 800-meter runner Dan Murray had a big weekend, running a 1:48.34, a personal best by one and a half seconds.
Despite excellent times, Nuttycombe knows that the Big Ten meet will not be an easy weekend.
""What we're trying to do is put ourselves in a position to defend our title, I don't think it's a 'gimme' by any means, there are two or three very good teams,"" Nuttycombe said. ""Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin are probably the three best teams, with Indiana, maybe, on paper being the team to beat right now. They're the No. 2 team in the country.""
Wisconsin is close behind in the rankings, however, holding the No. 6 spot.
""The good thing is that there is still room for improvement,"" Nuttycombe said. ""It's nice to know that they can run as well as they have and that they still feel like there is room to grow. For all these guys, the next weekend and the weekend after that, that's what they've worked for all year.\
