What's Ahead: The Drake men's track and field team will host the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 10-12 on the Jim Duncan Track at Drake Stadium.

Following the Meet: Live results will be available throughout the meet at http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/fls/15700/statistics/2013MVCTF/index.htm.

Pre-Championship Poll: The Drake men were selected fifth by coaches throughout the MVC, garnering 21 points overall. Brogan Austin (Boone, Iowa) holds the top time in the 5,000 meters by nearly 14 seconds.

Austin will look to battle his rival John Mascari of Indiana State, who he has battle with in distance events throughout his career. Mascari's Sycamores were selected as the pre-championship favorites for the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship, attempting to defend their title for the third consecutive year. They gained 48 points, including six of the seven possible first place votes. They currently hold the No. 7 ranking in the Great Lakes Region in the latest USTFCCCA poll.

The Sycamores enter this weekend's championship leading the Valley in seven events, and hold two of the top-five positions in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 5000 meters, 10,000 meters, 110-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, 3,000-meter steeplechase, and shot put. Junior Brandon Pounds holds the Valley's 2nd best hammer throw. Senior hurdler Greggmar Swift will also contend for the title in the 110-meter hurdles, owning the tenth best time in the nation.


The Wichita State men notched the No. 2 spot in the pre-championship poll, securing 42 points as well as a first place vote.  Zach Budda, Tomas Cotter, Ryan Hocker and Austin Bahner who all hold top spots in the Valley in their respective events lead the Shockers.

Southern Illinois ranked third in the pre-championship poll, receiving 36 points in total. Nikolai Gall leads the Valley in the 400 meters with a time of 47.82. J.C. Lambert will receive much attention in the hammer throw.

Northern Iowa is picked in the fourth spot on the men's side with 25 points; entering the championship event with two MVC-best marks.  Senior Daniel Gooris boasts one of the best scores in the nation in the Decathlon, while Jordan Williams owns the top mark in the Discus Throw after his winning performance at the John Mitchell Alabama Relays

Illinois State's men's team tallied 17 points and the sixth spot in the pre-championship poll.  Senior Tim Glover, one of the best javelin throwers in the nation, leads the Redbirds. His distance is best in the Valley by over 37 feet, and ranks second in the nation. He will aim to win his third national title in the event and fourth consecutive Valley crown.

Bradley takes the final spot in the men and women's pre-championship poll with seven and eight points respectively.  Chase Coffey holds a top five time in the 3000-meter Steeplechase.

A Year Ago: Jon DeGrave made history by winning his third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference title in the men's 400-meter hurdles to lead the Drake men's track and field team at the 2012 MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

His victory in 51.80 put him in elite company, becoming one of four individuals with three or more 400-meter hurdle titles in conference history.

The Bulldogs finished in sixth place on the weekend with 69 points.

Dan Karys (Bartlett, Ill.) won the long jump, soaring to a personal best of 24-1. He became the first Drake athlete since 2006 to win the event.

Charlie Lapham (Golden Valley, Minn.) ran a strong race to finish second in the 1500 meters. His time of 3:51.59 was two seconds behind the winner. Omet Kak (Des Moines, Iowa) was fourth in 3:51.16.

Phillip Beeler and Kevin Harp were third and fifth respectively in the men's javelin. Beeler's throw of 208-7 was a personal best. Harp threw 204-4, short of his school record and personal best.