JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.. –- The Cougars are back on track; and no this is about the surface or the sport, per se.

After a fourth-place showing followed by a fifth-place effort at last year’s NAIA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships, respectively, the Azusa Pacific men’s track & field team appears to back in title-contending position. The NAIA’s most dominant program in history is ready to resume its position atop the sport, and the first showcase opportunity comes this weekend when Azusa Pacific competes in the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Mini Dome on the campus of East Tennessee State. However, if there is return run to the crown, the path there won’t be clear or smooth.

A contingent of 23 Cougar men have converged on Johnson City, Tenn., set to compete in 14 different event, beginning Thursday (March 9) and hopefully culminating Saturday (March 11) evening in Azusa Pacific’s fifth indoor track & field championship and the program’s 18th overall between the indoor and outdoor circuits.

“This meet will be as good as it’s been in recent memory,” said Cougar men’s coach Kevin Reid, who has led the Cougars to 6 NAIA titles, including all 4 indoor crowns. “Both in terms of quality of marks and in the number of teams vying for the national championship, it doesn’t get much better than this.”

Azusa Pacific is expected to wage an intense battle for this year’s indoor crown with 2-time defending outdoor champion Dickinson State (N.D.), cross country champ Virginia Intermont and reigning indoor king Lindenwood (Mo.). Perennial power Oklahoma Baptist figures in the mix as well.

The Cougars’ title hopes lies in the pentathlon, relays and the fiercely competitive middle distances and long sprints. Azusa Pacific is expected to grab the early lead Thursday after defending champion Brian Bernard and All-American David Pichler compete in the pentathlon. Newcomer Akoni Clubb bolsters the Cougar representation in an event that a Cougar has won 6 times in the past 12 years.

As the weekend unfolds, the “Running Ramirezes,” brothers Tim and Tony, will move to the forefront, carrying the Cougar banner in the 400 meters, 1000 meters and all 3 relays – 4x400, 4x800 and distance medley relay. Tim, a senior and NAIA champion in the 800, is the favorite to win the 1000 after clocking the second best collegiate time (2:22.85) this year. Tony, who won the 2004 indoor 400 as a freshman, is among 3 favorites to lead the 400 competition. He has a personal best 47.53 to his credt.

The duo will then team with fellow All-Americans Danny Reid, Caleb Lynch, Kevin Lindsey and Brett Bultje to push Azusa Pacific to front of the pack in all 3 relays. The Cougars enter this weekend’s competition with the NAIA’s best time this season in the 4x400 (3:10.23), the second best DMR (10:08.3) and the fifth best 4x800 (7:48.20). However, Oklahoma Baptist and Virginia Intermont also have outstanding units that will push for victory in each relay.

“There is a lot of head-to-head competition in the meet this year,” Reid added. “If we perform well, especially in the 4x4 and DMR, then that will probably determine the meet for us in a positive way.”

Support personnel like Matt Sparks (60m hurdles), Matt Parish (600m), James Ferguson (shot put and weight throw), and Peter Sherman (3000m) could also prove to be significant players in the Cougars’ quest for victory. Though none of the aforementioned are expected to win their individual events, they all could advance to the final and collectively give Azusa Pacific a boost in points.

“Unexpected points, lower level people on the performance stepping up at nationals and scoring points will be the difference for any of us – Azusa Pacific, Intermont, Dickinson and the rest,” said Reid. “We’re not necessarily the favorite on paper, but I feel pretty good about our depth. We have a handful of guys who have competed here before, who are All-Americans and know what it takes to be successful.”

Then there is the walk. Azusa Pacific is reappearing in the 3000-meter indoor walk, an event that was staged during the 1970s but was dropped in the ‘80s only to return again 6 years ago. And now Cougars are competing in it. Mitch Howell, John Pfiel, and Everson Marsh competed in their first-ever walks 3 weeks ago and surprisingly qualified for the NAIAs. If they score in Johnson City, they may prove to be the most unexpected of points for Azusa Pacific, since 6 weeks ago no Cougar was considering the event.

The Azusa Pacific women, who won back-to-back NAIA indoor championships in 2003 and 2004, have 17 representatives competing in 11 different events this weekend. Though they aren’t expected to contend for the national title, the Cougars maintain outside hope of being on the award stand come Saturday night, meaning a top 4 finish.

“It depends on what other teams do but maybe we could come back with some hardware,” said women’s coach Mike Barnett. “I think at least top 6 is reasonable.”

NAIA national champion Barbara Sugar has her eyes on the top prize in the 20-pound weight throw, while last year’s runner-up in the pentathlon, junior Moran Altizer, hopes to improve upon her placement this year.

“I look for Olivia (Richert) and Whtiney (Jacobsmeyer) to run personal bests in what will be very competitive fields of 1000- and 3000-meter races,” said Barnett. “We’re a young team and this kind of national competition should prepare us well for what I hope will be a run at the outdoor title in May.”

The NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships begin at 10 a.m. (PST) Thursday (March 8). Live results of the entire championship meet can be obtained at the NAIA website.