The Indiana State University Men's track and field team prepare for their first meet of the season on Friday.

"Can't wait to get rolling on Friday," Craig Padgett, senior distance runner said.

The Sycamores will be travelling to Eastern Illinois University for the Eastern Illinois State Dual Invitational.  The competition will mark the official start of the men's track and field indoor season for 2011-12.

ISU men's track and field head coach John McNichols said the overall atmosphere of the team is excitement as many of the guys are anxious to see the progress they have made in the fall conditioning period.  Senior distance runner Corey Hahn said the team wants to continue the success of last season and are eager for the start of this season.

The Eastern Illinois meet has been on the calendar for the team for a very long time.  The meet precedes a month long winter break before the team returns to continue the season in 2012.

"The first meet is very important. We need to make sure we come out and make a statement right off the bat to show people that we haven't lost any talent from last year and also that we are going to be a better team," Hahnsaid

McNichols said thirty-two gentlemen are on the roster for this meet, which is about the same number of men entered in conference competition.

This will be the first indoor meet following last season's historic performance in the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships where ISU secured its first ever indoor conference championship title.

"No matter what the result, though, the team will be looking to set the tone and show we our contending for another MVC Championship this March, and that all starts at Eastern Illinois Friday," Padgett said.