The Missouri Southern men’s track and field squad opened the 2004 season by facing off against some of the toughest competition in the country.

On Jan. 17, the Lions were in Fayetteville for the Arkansas Invitational, hosted by the University of Arkansas.

“We were the only Division II team there,” said Tom Rutledge, head coach.

The team faced off against Division I opponents such as the University of Arkansas, the University of Kansas, Louisiana State University, and Mississippi State University. But the team hopes by opening the season with tough competition, it will be better prepared for the upcoming conference match ups.

“The competition is so stiff,” said Michael Stewart, junior triple jumper.

“Our conference has some stiff competition too, so it is a very good to prepare for the season with.”

The men had their first qualifier for the national tournament of the season in Arley Smith. The senior weight thrower threw for a distance of 17.98 meters, which put him in first place in the event, and several more top 10 finishes in other events.

“We have good athletes,” Rutledge said.

“Our kids have worked very hard, and we’ve been very fortunate in track and field. We are a force to be reckoned with. We have good numbers, we’ve got good work ethic, and we’ve got good facilities and when you put all of those together, it helps.”

But the men are quick to attribute there success elsewhere.

“He (Rutledge) is everything,” Stewart said. “He is our inspiration; he keeps us in line. Without him, this team would probably fall apart. He is our heart and our soul.”

“He (Rutledge) means everything to us,” said Moses Manga, sophomore sprinter.

The next meet the Southern men will compete in will be on Friday and Saturday, when they host the MSSU/Radio Shack Invitational. “It’s going to be a full field,” Rutledge said. “We have about 13 colleges and universities coming in, and we’ll have quite a packed house on Friday and Saturday.”

“We are just going to treat it like any other meet,” Stewart said. “But this is probably more special, because it is at home.”

Competition begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and lasts until approximately 8:30 p.m.

The meet will resume again on Saturday at 11 a.m. and wraps up around 6:15 p.m.