By Steve Holt, Sports Writer

Head track and field coach Jon Murray will take his teams to Waco on Friday for the 2004 Michael Johnson Classic, which will run through Saturday at Baylor’s Hart-Patterson Track and Field Complex.

With only three opportunities remaining for Wildcat athletes to qualify for the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships, ACU will face off against athletes from Angelo State, Baylor, New Mexico State, Oklahoma, Seton Hall, Tarleton State, Texas State, Texas-Arlington, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Murray said with time to qualify dwindling, his desire for this weekend and those following is simple.

“We’re still looking for good conditions,” Murray said, “which is warm temperatures and not a big wind for most of our events.”

Friday, the track and field action will begin with the pole vault at 3:30 p.m., followed by the hammer throw at 5 p.m. Saturday’s field events will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the preliminary running events at noon. The running event finals will begin at 6 p.m.

Six Wildcat athletes or relays have qualified automatically for the national meet, while 18 athletes or relays have provisionally qualified.