66 // VARSITY April 3, 2014
INSIDE
TRACK & FIELD
UW heads back to Sunshine
State for Florida Relays
Badgers open month against competitive field
BY AJ HARRISON @BADGER_TRACK
A
fter a week off from
competition, the Bad-
gers are back in action
this weekend, heading south
once again to compete in the
Florida Relays on Friday and
Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.
Wisconsin last competed
March 21-22 at the Walt Dis-
ney Open in Orlando, Fla., but
Director of Track & Field and
Cross Country Mick Byrne be-
lieves the Florida Relays' is the
first true test for the Badgers
during the outdoor season.
"It's the type of competition
that we are looking for to kick-
start everything," Byrne said.
"We will face some great teams
there. It is one of those meets
where you can't just take ev-
eryone, there is quality across
the board in every event, and
I think that is what we need."
The competition will be tough, with
six ranked men's teams, including No.
2 Florida and No. 6 Wisconsin. There's
also six ranked teams competing on the
women's side, headlined by the No. 4 Ga-
tors.
On the men's side, Michael Lihrman
will make his season debut for Wiscon-
sin. A junior from Rice Lake, Wis., Li-
hrman will compete for the first time
since winning the weight throw at the
NCAA indoor championships. He will
compete in the hammer throw during
the outdoor season, and Byrne is excited
to see what Lihrman will do.
"Hopefully the transition from the
weight to hammer will be smooth," By-
rne said. "They are two completely dif-
ferent events. I am excited personally to
see how he adjusts to the event. It is still
early in the season, and you want every
meet to be a stepping stone to the next
meet."
Wisconsin will also have a great group
open its season in the middle distance
events, as Austin Mudd and Alex Hatz
will compete on the men's side in the
1500 meters. Molly Hanson will run in
the women's 800, while Sarah Disanza,
Gabi Anzalone and Emma-Lisa Murphy
will run in the 1500 meters.
"The Florida Relays is a quality meet,"
Byrne said. "It is a great opportunity
for our middle distance runners to get
started. It's that time of the year for our
runners, the weather is warm and we are
expecting some great things from our
athletes."
SCHEDULE
LAST TIME OUT
March 21-22 Walt Disney Open
THIS WEEK
Friday-Saturday Florida Relays