The postseason begins this weekend for Indiana track and field, as the Hoosiers head to Geneva, Ohio for the Big Ten Indoor Championships. For the second-straight year, the conference's men's and women's meets are being held together simultaneously in the same venue. The meet opens on Fri., Feb. 22 and concludes on Sat., Feb. 23 with action beginning at 10 a.m. ET on both days. The meet will be broadcast on Big Ten Network via tape delay at noon ET on March 2.
Hoosiers Robby Nierman, Sydney Clute, Cornelius Strickland and Samantha Ginther each enter the Big Ten meet with different levels of experience and expectations. We caught up with all four to discuss their goals for the weekend.
2011-12 (R-SOPHOMORE): Cross Country: Ran at the Cowboy Jamboree at Oklahoma State and crossed the line in 26:09.88 ... participated at Pre-Nationals ... finished in 18th place at the Hoosier Invitational. Indoor: Clocked PRs of 4:07.07 in the mile and 8:16.76 in the 3,000m ... finished just two spots out of advancing to the finals in the mile at Big Tens. Outdoor: Advanced to the Big Ten 1,500m final, where he took 10th in 3:48.01 ... clocked PRs of 1:52.84 in the 800m and 3:47.68 in the 1,500m ... helped the Hoosiers win the DMR crown at the Florida Relays in 9:51.02.
2011 (R-FRESHMAN): Indoor: Clocked PRs of 1:54.69 in the 800, 4:11.31 in the mile and 8:48.86 in the 3,000m. Outdoor: Clocked PRs of 3:54.18 in the 1,500m and 9:16.11 in the steeplechase.
AT MIAMI: Redshirted all three seasons.
PREP: A four-time All-Stater for Zach Raber and Mike Barnes at Carroll ... 14th at the state meet in cross country in `09 ... placed fifth in the mile in `08 and third in `09 at the state meet ... eighth in the 800m at state in `09 ... seventh at Nike Outdoors in the mile ... represented Indiana at the Midwest Meet of Champions in the 1,600m ... led Carroll to a state runner-up finish in cross country in `08 and sixth place in `07 ... led Carroll to the third-best semi-state team score in state history in `08 ... holds school records in the 1,600m and 800m ... member of National Honor Society and an Eagle Scout ... played goalie for the varsity hockey team, helping them to a 4A state title.
PERSONAL: Son of Tammy Nierman ... has a brother named Andrew ... born September 9, 1990 ... exercise science major.