Hey, sports fans. Don’t miss out on a chance to see some of the better track and field athletes in the country this weekend at the completely redone University of Iowa track.

For the men, this will be the 111th Big Ten track and field championships. The Hawks  hosted the 100th Big Ten outdoor event in 2000 and then the floods came in 2008, the track was shut down and the area completely redone. And it’s beautiful.

Plus, if you are an Iowa fan, there’s a chance, although a long shot, that the Hawks can win the team title. Coach Larry Wieczorek told me, both for his team and the teams coming in, that this will be the best collection of athletes the conference and the Hawks have had in track in years.

Plus, this championship will also have the women competing for their Big Ten outdoor title. So with the decathlon on Friday, the prelims on Saturday and the championships on Sunday for both men and women, it should be an exciting weekend.

This meet includes the pole vault, the hammer throw and the javelin, events seldom seen in this part of the state. There’s plenty of seating,  and it’s up-close and personal with these athletes, so I would encourage your attendance.

Another note about the Iowa team: After the Big Ten’s, there are two NCAA qualifying sites. Iowa has been assigned to Eugene, Ore. to the Prefontaine Track, and the Hawks figure they could have 17 qualifiers for the NCAA championships that will be held the first part of June at the Blue Track at Drake, the first of a two-year commitment for the finals at Drake’s outstanding facility.

With all of that at stake, it should be a great weekend with some interesting stories. Be there.