DENVER – With the RMAC Indoor Championships set for next weekend, the MSU Denver track & field teams are looking to do what's necessary at Friday's Air Force Collegiate Open.
 
"It's kind of that last chance to brush up and make sure we're sharp for the conference championships," MSU Denver coach Janis Christopher said. "There's really no big focus for the majority of the athletes – it's one more chance to get out there and sharpen their skills and get ready to go for next week."
 
A total of 18 individuals in all events will advance to the RMAC Championships, Feb. 24 and 25 in Alamosa, Colo.
 
Many Roadrunners are already in solid position to qualify, and perhaps a few others could push through with top performances in Friday's 2 p.m. meet at the Air Force Academy.
 
Very secure in her spot is women's sprinter Allyssa Romero, who hit a provisional qualifying time for Division II Nationals with a school-record clocking of 56.63 seconds in the 400 last weekend. Romero has been smashing records most of the season in both the 200 and 400, where she ranks sixth and third, respectively, in the RMAC.
 
Meanwhile men's distance runner Noel Lopez, turned in a provisional qualifying time in the 5,000 with another school record.
 
But while Lopez has proven to be a top talent, his effort in the 5,000 – coming after midnight local time while competing in Boston – was impressive. In the distance-focused RMAC, though, his time of 14:18.36 is just 15^th best in the RMAC despite being 29^th in the country.
 
"(Associate Head) Coach (Amando Rego) knew he was capable of running that time," Christopher said. "And he had set the goal of breaking the school record. We knew he was capable of doing that since he was at sea level and because that track is the best one to run distance races on in the United State. If you're going to make a jump, that's the place to do it."
 
Lopez and most of the rest of MSU Denver's distance runners will sit this weekend out to prepare for the RMAC Championships.
 
Nick Nowlen, a provisional nationals qualifier in the 800, currently ranks 20^th in Division II and will compete this weekend.
 
"We're looking to see if he can move up on the national list," Christopher said.
 
Not too far out of the picture for the RMAC Championships in the 800 in true freshman Elijah Garcia, whose converted time of 1:57.45 ranks 24^th in the RMAC – just 0.55 seconds out of 18^th.
 
"This week is the last chance for people to qualify for conference if they haven't already, and a chance for those who won't be there to have one more competition," Christopher said. "The folks who are qualified, we're just trying to keep them sharp."