DENVER – Fridays for MSU Denver in a two-day indoor track meet typically aren't overly dramatic – a couple of field events and a distance race.
 
But this weekend's Mines Winter Classic could be very interesting indeed.
 
Not only will Jade Marvel and Jocelyn Korbe take their second shot at the women's pentathlon starting at 11:20 a.m., but also the men will field a distance medley relay that the Roadrunners hope could be something special.
 
"It's one of those where, if everything goes really well, it could be a (national) qualifying time," MSU Denver coach Janis Christopher said.

Competition starts at 10:40 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.

Fans attending the meet on Saturday should avoid driving through downtown Golden due to an event that will close Washington Ave. It is suggested to access the Mines campus from the 19^th Street exit of US6 and utilize the parking garage located at 14^th and Maple Streets.
 
In Friday's 7 p.m. DMR, which includes legs of 1,200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and 1,600 meters, the Roadrunners will send out JJ Ramey, Ethan Loper, Nick Nowlen and Noel Lopez, respectively. Typically Ramey and Lopez excel at longer distances, but it all started coming together at the UCCS Invitational two weeks ago when Nowlen, Lopez and Ramey finished 2-3-4, with all running between 4 minutes, 24.55 seconds and 4:24.82.
 
"Going into the season, we weren't sure what the DMR was going to look like," Christopher said. "Then we ran JJ and Noel in the mile. After that we decided we could put together a pretty good team."
 
The provisional qualifying time for Division II nationals in the event is 10:05.20, and five teams have hit that target this season. The MSU Denver school record is 9:55.67, and was set by Nate Newland, Anthony Luna, Carl Arnold III and Rick Bogatay on March 12, 2010, as they finished third to gain All-America status at the National Championships.
 
Loper's best open indoor 400 time is 50.25, while Nowlen (a two-time national qualifier) has run the 800 in 1:51.46. Add in the 4:24.76 mile (1,609 meters) run by Lopez, and a time of around 10 minutes seems possible if all are at their best and considering the huge conversions given for altitude and track size at Mines.
 
"Usually you know where you stand after the 1200," Christopher said. "Every leg definitely counts. But getting out and running a good 1200-meter leg and making sure that you're in the mix when the 400-meter runner gets the baton, that's a big key. And then, even if you're a little behind, if you have a 1,600-meter runner who isn't afraid to chase people down and get back in the mix, that's another big key."
 
What's the big key to the 1200?
 
"We'll probably given him splits (to aim for), but a lot of it is, 'Just hang on,'" Christopher said. "JJ understands splits and what different paces feel like. He can be good at the 1200, but it's kind of disorienting because it's not a pace you usually run at – slower than the mile, but faster than the 800.
 
"And there's going to be some good dudes in that race (Colorado School of Mines and Western Colorado are also entered), so if he can stay close and let them pull him around, we can be in a good spot."
 
In the pentathlon, which includes the 60-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800 meters, Marvel had an excellent debut in December in her first try with 2,983 points. She's ranked 63^rd in the country, and the provisional qualifying mark is 3,247 points.
 
"She's progressing really well," Christopher said. "She's really coachable. It'll be fun to see what she can do in her second pentathlon.
 
"Not very often do kids say, 'I'm excited to run the 800 again,' but she has. That's important, because it's the last event and if you're not excited for it, it's a long 800 meters."
 
Korbe scored 2,573 in December in just her third-ever pentathlon. Last year she had 2,706 in her first meet and placed eighth at the RMAC Championships with 2,626.
 
"They are both getting a chance to have more experience in the event," Christopher said. "They need to understand the timing of it, and how best to eat, and how to rest between events. The more you do it, the more you get into a rhythm and the more you understand your body and how it reacts to your nutrition."
 
Meanwhile, most of MSU Denver's top competitors will dial it down slightly this week in preparation for big events next weekend, with many competing in just one event or perhaps an event they don't usually run.
 
The individuals men's DMR unit, for example, aren't scheduled to do any other events.
 
One of the Roadrunners' stars will be competing in her best event – new 60-meter school record holder Claire Hummel will try to improve upon the 7.68 she ran last week.
 
"It's exciting to see her having a year that you want her to have," Christopher said. "The last couple of seasons have been rough with injuries and some things that have happened. So for her to be in this place and accomplishing things that we hoped she could … she worked so hard over the summer and over winter break, and all of that is paying off. It's really nice to see her finding success as a senior."
 
In that moment, when Hummel broke the record, Christopher saw a key reason for the team's success. Teammate Jaivion Lattimore, whose record Hummel broke, was ecstatic for her teammate.
 
"Even though track & field is an individual sport, we're still a team," Christopher said. "Your teammates' success is just as important as your own, and the more successful we all are, the better. It's been really fun to see the team come to this place, and to have my seniors modeling that for the younger generation. Even though we're competing against one another, you can still be happy for the other person, even if they beat you.
 
"That's why we're accomplishing these amazing things. We've got great leaders who work hard, and they demonstrate positivity and support for one another. You can be super talented, but without that team atmosphere and support, and people who care about one another, you aren't going to accomplish what you should."