The snow is melting, temperatures are rising and soon the 2010 indoor season will be just a memory. This weekend the big event the Division II indoor championships will occur in Albuquerque, New Mexico hosted by Adams State. Throws, Jumps, Vaults, and Sprints will be at their best with altitude not affecting those athletes' performance. Some would even argue that it might actually work to their advantage.  In the distance and middle distance event, the altitude will hurt those runners not use to the altitudes. One would expect times to be a bit slower.  There has been much talk about this issue along with a few others on the message boards (that will not be named) these issues include:  can the Adams State men sweep the top spots for the mile and 5k? Will it be Shippensburg or Seattle Pacific who will take the women’s DMR?  What will Jessica Pixler run? I am going to highlight a few of the more highly contested races but I am sure there will be gaps. Please feel free to add anything that I have missed.

60 meter

Women- St. Augustine’s Barbara Pierre has the quickest seed time with a 7.18 and has been on a roll this year. If she is in top form, no one will touch her. The Lincoln trio of Semoy Hackett, Shanna Kay Wright and Janika Martell will be trying to chase her down.
Men- Lincoln’s Bruce Kimour is the only one with the auto mark (6.72) but nothing is ever certain at championships meets with having to run rounds. Look for Northwood’s Will Futon, Emporia State’s Derwin Hall and St. Augustine’s Ramon Gittens to challenge.

200 meter

Women-Pierre is back in this event and could be worn out from several rounds. Adams State’s Indira Spence and Lincoln’s Semoy Hackett are not far off and will be ready to challenge.
Men- St. Augustine’s Josh Scott is looking to double in the 200 and 400. This will tax his legs look for East Stroudsberg’s Chris Reddick and Emporia State’s Josh Schuler to step up if he fails.

400 meter-

Women- Bemidji State’s Kristi Buerkle is the only one to dip below 55. 2-8 on the performance list are within the 55 second mark making this a very close race.
Men- Scott comes in .14 ahead of his competition. If he runs to his potential he will take the championship. As he is looking to double, Findlay’s Curtis Smithey and St. Augustine’s Antonio Abney might have a chance to steal the crown.

800 meter

Women- Nebraska-Omaha’s Anja Puc comes in with the fastest seed time of 2:07.99. Adams State’s Vanessa Roy is not far off with a time of 2:09.81 and could be better adjusted to the altitude. The rest of the field is over 2:10.63 and with the setting this  could make for a tight race.
Men- A new indoor champion will be crowned. Saginaw Valley has two of the top three times going into this race with Tony Filipek (1:50.57) and Charlie Richards (1:51.49).  Minnesota State Mankato’s Denise Mokaya or Adams State’s Andrew Graham could be the spoilers. Richards has the advantage of training at altitude.

Mile

Women- DII champion Jessica Pixler should easily take this event with the next closest runner 16 seconds behind. If she runs how she has  earlier this season, expect her to lead wire to wire.
Men- The question is which Adams State runner will take home the title. Aaron Braun is the favorite but his teammate Ryan McNiff is right behind him though both are attempting the double with the 5k. The spoiler could be Colorado Mine’s Mack McLain who is only running the mile.

5k

Women- Shippensburg’s Neely Spence and Queen’s Tanya Zeferjahn have ran 16:13 and this could be the best battle of the weekend. The next on the  performance list are mileage queen Sarah Porter(  (16:47.07) and Missouri Southern’s Kimi Shank (16:47.34).
Men- Adams State has the top five in this event with Aaron Braun coming in with the best time but his teammates, Reuben Mwei and BrianMedigovich are close behind both have defeated Braun before.  American International’s Glarius Rop could spoil the Adams State sweep if he performs like he did during cross country.

DMR

Women- This duel could be epic with Shippensburg and Seattle Pacific coming in as 1 and 2. It could come down to the last leg being raced between Spence and Pixler.  Don’t count out Adams State for they do have home track advantage.
Men- What RMAC school will take the title? Metropolitan State, Colorado School of the mines and Adams State take the top three spots on the performance. Missouri Southern is not far off in fourth.