By Steve Holt, Copy Editor

Sophomore thrower Manuel Brandenborn will throw the shot for the first time this season as the ACU track and field teams travel to Lubbock for the Red Raider Invitational Friday.

Brandenborn, who placed third at outdoor nationals in May with a throw of nearly 61 feet, will battle teammate Shai Shalev for indoor and outdoor national titles this season. Shalev, a senior, is currently at the top of the Division II performance list in the event but will be heavily tested by Brandenborn Friday.

“That’ll be fun,” said Coach Jon Murray of Friday’s throwing battle.

Twenty-one men will compete Friday, including Nic Alexander and Christie Van Wyk in the 55-meter dash; Bernard Manirakiza and Jean-Marie Ndikumana in the 800 meters; Martin O’Kello and Arthemon Sindayigaya in the mile; Yevgen Pashchenko, Tarrant Fuller and DaRay Sims in the long jump; Sims and Pashchenko in the triple jump and Ricardo Johnson and Delt Cockrell in the 400-meter dash. The men’s 4×400-meter relay will also compete.

Twenty-one women will be trying to qualify automatically or provisionally for nationals Friday. Junior Sofi Hildenborg will compete for the first time all season in the 55- and 200-meter dashes. Other women competing include: Marichea Austin in the 55-meter dash; Althea Johnson, Austin and Angie Waters in the 400-meter dash; Justine Nahimana in the 3,000-meter run and Val Gorter and Katie Eckley in the pole vault.

Murray said injury hasn’t been as much of an issue this season as in past years.

“We’ve been fortunate not having any significant injuries,” he said. “We are overall pretty healthy.”