Big Ten Men's Conference Preview

The Big Ten has been a great conference for decades. Perennial powers Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State have remained in the championship picture consistently. Starting fall of 2011 Nebraska will become apart of the Big Ten. Nebraska's mutli-talented program which can excel at every level in track and field will add to the Big Ten's great depth. However this season has its own big story, Wisconsin, they just keep on rolling.

Distance

Distance is what the Big Ten is all about. The conference of the Midwest has many great distance programs in Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa, Penn State and Minnesota.

Penn State is definitely a contender in the distance events. The Nittany Lions return four athletes who all ran under 1:50 in the men's 800. Seniors Owen Dawson, Lionel Williams and Ryan Foster will look to challenge Casimir Loxsom. Loxsom as a true freshman last season won the big ten outdoor title in the 800. Foster the 2009 800 champion may look to reclaim his title and earn a new title in men's 1,600. Ben Blankenship will be a strong challenger from Minnesota along with Rob Finerty from Wisconsin. The Badgers also look for Mohammed Ahmed to lead a 1-2 finish in the men's 5,000, sophomore standout Maverick Darling will join Ahmed in that effort.

Sprints and Hurdles

The Big Ten has grown by a grand margin in the men's sprints. In the 90's Ohio State dominated the sprints with Chris Nelloms the 1993 NCAA Champion at 200 meters. Ohio State was sprints in the Big Ten during the 90's. Long thought to be just a distance conference the sprint programs in the conference have stepped up to compete on a national level.

This season two Riley's plan to walk away as double champions. Andrew Riley of Illinois stunned everyone by beating Ronnie Ash last season to win the NCAA Outdoor title. Riley completed the double last outdoor season in the 100 meter dash and 110 hurdles at the Big Ten championships. Last indoor season Riley fell short in the men's 60. Expect for Riley to obtain the double by winning the 60 meter dash and 60 meter hurdles with his superior speed. Josh Hembrough of Purdue should be a great challenge.

Steven Wiley of Iowa, no relation to Andrew, hopes to complete the tough double by winning the 400 and 200. Riley claimed the outdoor title in the men's 400 with a 46.12 performance. Riley came up short in the men's 200 to Stephen Robinson of Ohio State. With Robinson gone Riley is clear favorite to claim the title. Thomas Murdaugh of Ohio State is the biggest threat to Riley winning the men's 400 title after having won the event in 2009. Murdaugh also split 44.65 last season to carry the Ohio State 4x400 relay to All-American honors and will be looking to rebound this season.

Jumps

Derek Drouin of Indiana will remain alone at the top in the men's high jump. Drouin had a spectacular season which culminated in a NCAA Championship both indoors and outdoors. Drouin is the easy pick for NCAA Field Athlete of the Year.

Korbin Smith of Ohio State is also a defending Big Ten champion, although not as successful as Drouin, Smith hopes to gain more national recognition this season. Smith won the outdoor title last season with a jump of 24-7. Ironically Robert Peddlar of Michigan was the indoor champion and hopes to defend his indoor title and maybe win the triple jump as well.

Senior Ben Patterson of Minnesota is another defending conference champion in the Men's Pole Vault. Teammate Brock Spandl and Michigan State senior Logan Lynch will challenge Patterson for the crown. Lynch and Spandl are great vaulters in his own right, however it's Patterson title to lose.

Throws

Joe Kovacs of Penn State will look to win the men's shot put as well as the weigh throw. Lonnie Pugh of Michigan State is the true favorite in the men's weight through but Kovacs could be thinking double.

Heptathlon

The Heptathlon had an amazing freshman last season in Jack Szmanda of Minnesota. Szmanda finished second to teammate and defending champion R.J. McGinnis. Szmanda is an early favorite to win the event but will see great competition from Cliff Miller of Michigan State and teammate Spandl.



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