Territorial Cup Points on Line at MPSF Indoor Championships

Sun Devil Athletics

February 24, 2016

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State track and field team enters the first championship weekend of the indoor season with a chance to earn two Territorial Cup points over the University of Arizona -- and expand on the Sun Devils current lead of 5.5 to 2.5 in the standings.

Director of Sun Devil Track and Field Greg Kraft referred to two quotes you wouldn't have expected when previewing the upcoming MPSF Indoor Conference Championships.

"I think Marshawn Lynch said it best, 'Stay in your lane,' and in track and field that's it," said Kraft. "That's all you can control. Stay in your lane and focus on your own execution."

In a meet of this caliber with what's on line, Kraft points to the six inches between the ears and the execution of each individual athlete versus the athlete competing next to you.

"For our guys, and especially our women, it's about taking care of our own business," Kraft said. "You really can't do anything about your competition."

Winning a Pac-12 Championship is always a goal, but clinching the two Territorial Cup points at hand is first on the list for Kraft and his staff.

"Talking to the team, our first goal is to get the Territorial Cup point(s)," he said. "Right now we're 2-0 coming off the cross country season. Our team understands that MPSF puts up another point for grabs for the men and the women."

The last time the Sun Devil track and field team failed to earn a Territorial Cup point was at the 2014 Pac-12 Outdoor Championships. Since then, ASU has been on an eight-point streak against the Wildcats between track and field and cross country.

"I think it's going to be a very closely contested competition between us and Arizona," said Kraft. "I think we're both very similar and have opportunities for 10 points in six or seven events. Rarely will we go head-on with them, but when we do, we understand we have to be able to come out on the plus side in those types of competitions.

"That's our first goal, and our second goal is to get additional people qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships."

So far, redshirt junior triple jumper Tim White appears to be the lone Sun Devil who has punched his ticket to the final indoor meet. However, redshirt sophomore Maggie Ewen is riding the fine line.

"Maggie is 16th going into the final week in both the shot put and weight throw, and you know that means she's not in the meet," said Kraft. "Going into the final week, you have to assume those marks won't survive. The way she's thrown -- and she's on an upward trajectory -- she appears to be someone who has the ability to score if she's at the National Championships. But you have to be there first and foremost."

The NCAA Indoor Championships pull 16 athletes with the top marks in the country, and while Ewen holds that final spot, many other competitors will be gunning for her spot.

Several of her teammates will be doing so in their respective events, including senior sprinter Jamol James and his teammate redshirt senior Isaiah Underwood in the 60-meter dash.

"Jamol is coming on late due to a variety of ailments, but is very dangerous, and in the 60-meter dash anything can happen," said Kraft. "He and Isaiah Underwood have that type of ability."

James clocked an altitude-adjusted 6.67 -- originally 6.63 -- at the NAU Tune-Up last week, while Underwood ran an altitude-adjusted 6.70 in Albuquerque, New Mexico a week prior.

Kraft, who primarily focuses on the jumpers, compliments senior Josh Dixon on his recent performance in the triple jump, stating he has a chance to qualify with White in the event.

On the women's side, Ewen may lead the squad, but others are sure to follow.

"Ewen is the straw that stirs (the women's) drink -- she could win the shot put and the weight throw," Kraft said. "(But) Keyasia Tibbs is someone were counting on in the triple jump and the long jump along with Jessica Barreira. We need some of our veteran girls -- and we don't have a lot of them -- like Gibbs and Franklin to step up and assume that leadership position in point production and be present in the finals.

"When you look at our women's distance team, they've done a nice job indoors. Jen Owen has been a nice addition and Chelsey Totten has gotten consistently better."

The second and final quote Kraft pointed to in reference to his athletes this weekend was, 'Be quick, but don't hurry,' by John Wooden.

He relates it to too many of his athletes getting wide-eyed with their potential, getting overzealous and pushing too hard, leading to uncharacteristic mechanics.

That, Kraft says, will be the x-factor in the Sun Devils performance in Seattle.

MPSF Championships Seattle, Wash. Feb. 26-27

Friday (Field)

Women's Weight Throw (12 p.m. PT, 1 p.m. MT)

-Maggie Ewen, Ginger Jarchow, Ashley Weber

Women's Pole Vault (2 p.m. PT, 3 p.m. MT)

-Haleigh Fritts, Kristiana Warth

Women's Long Jump (5:15 p.m. PT, 6:15 p.m. MT)

-Jessica Barreira, Jasmine Gibbs, Keyasia Tibbs

Men's Long Jump (5:15 p.m. PT, 6:15 p.m. MT)

-Josh Dixon, Tim White

Men's Weight Throw (5:15 p.m. PT, 6:15 p.m. MT)