The MSU men's and women's track teams will both be participating in this weekend's NCAA Mideast championships in Knoxville, Tenn.

The women's team will send five Spartans to compete in numerous events. MSU senior Taren James will compete in the triple jump and the long jump. James was the Big Ten outdoor triple jump champion this year. Sophomore Nicole Bush, who qualified for three events, will compete only in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Senior Aimee Keenan will run the 800-meter, and junior Michelle Rafferty will compete in the 5,000-meter run. Sophomore Jackie Walton will compete in the 100-meter hurdles.

The MSU men's track team will send 10 athletes to the competition. Five athletes will compete in field events, and five will be participating in running events. Senior Brad Gebauer, who pole vaulted third best in MSU school history, seems to be the Spartans' best chance for advancing to the championship.

The top five finishers in the individual events automatically advance to the NCAA Championship, which meets June 7-10 at Sacramento State University.