OU to Compete in the Bobby Lane Invitational

NORMAN— After opening the 2017 outdoor season in Tempe, the Oklahoma track and field teams are taking a shorter trip for the second meet of the season. The Sooners will head south on I-35 to Arlington, Texas, to compete in the Bobby Lane Invitational Friday and Saturday. Hosted by Texas-Arlington, the meet will be held at Maverick Stadium on UTA's campus.

The 19th-ranked women's team, according to the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association's preseason rankings released on March 20, will join the Sooner men with both teams trying to build on their success from the opening-weekend at the Baldy Castillo Invitational at Arizona State.

“We want people to strive to improve,” says head coach Jim VanHootegem. “If we are seeing that, then we will feel good about the day. We spoke with the team about James Brown's reputation as “the hardest working man in show business.” When the curtains go up, we are ready to demand a lot of ourselves.”

In addition to focusing on improving, this meet provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience for some members of the team, who will be making their outdoor season debut. For others, there will be the opportunity to compete in different events than they usually do.

“We are taking a big group to UT-Arlington. Our entries will include a good number of people who competed at ASU, a few more saw action at Big 12 Indoor while others haven't competed since midway through the indoor season. We have a mixed group of people who are competing in their primary event and a large number who may be competing in what would be considered a secondary event. For example, Ama Pipi will be in the 400 instead of the 200, Baileh Simms, 4x100 relay and 200 instead of long jump, Jess Woodard, discus instead of shot put, and Hayden McClain, the 100 instead of triple jump.”

The hammer throw will be taking place on Friday morning, with the women's event starting at 9:30 a.m. and the men's event to follow. The remaining events will take place on Saturday.

The first event of the day for OU will be the women's 200-meter dash at 11 a.m. The final field event will be the men's triple jump at 5 p.m. and the men's 4x400-meter relay at 6:55 p.m. is the final event on the track.

According to the head coach, the Sooners hope to come away from the second meet with everyone healthy while leaving a positive impression of what Oklahoma track and field is all about to those in attendance.

“If we leave healthy and no one who watched the track meet leaves without OU making a positive impression on them, then we will have done our job.”

Live results will be available. Updates will also be provided through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (OU_Track). A recap will be provided at the conclusion of each day on Soonersports.com.