Feb. 7, 2001

EAST LANSING, MICH. - The Michigan State men's track and field team will head to Ames, Iowa to compete at the 11th annual Iowa State Classic. The meet will be held at the ISU Recreation and Athletic Center on Feb. 9-10.

This year's field includes top competition from the Big XII, Big Ten, SEC, and PAC 10 conferences. Top teams include: Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky (from the SEC) Iowa, Illinois, MSU, Purdue, Minnesota and Wisconsin (representing the Big Ten) Kansas State, Texas Tech., Texas A&M, Kansas, host Iowa State and Missouri (from the Big XII) and Stanford, UCLA and Arizona State (with the PAC 10).

TEREK THE TERROR: Senior pole-vaulter Paul Terek has been hot in the event so far this indoor season. Terek has won three of the four competitions in which he has competed, including a school record jump of 17' 8 ½" at the Red Simmons Invitational, in Ann Arbor. The vault height was not only a new school record, but also a NCAA provisional mark.

The jump of 17 feet plus has him sitting in first in the Big Ten and fifth in the country.

FABULOUS FROSH: Freshman shot putter Steve Manz has had a record-breaking season this year, as he just topped the 22 year-old school record of Paul Schneider at last week's Meyo Invitational. Manz's throw of 58' 7 ¾" is also a NCAA provisional mark and has him ranked third in the Big Ten and 18th in the country.

IN THE RANKINGS: Several other MSU track athletes are ranked in the top eight of their respective events in the Big Ten.

Andy Lixey 5th-600m (1:19.91) 1st-800m (1:50.27)

Jeff Kus 7th-High Jump (6' 8 ¾")

Paul Terek 7th-4x400 Relay (3:16.79) Matt Ingram Terry Jenkins Andy Lixey