KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan track and field team enters the second half of the outdoor season heading to Champaign, Ill., and the Illinois Twilight Meet on Saturday evening.
The Broncos will face a bevy of teams from the Midwest, including hosts Illinois, Illinois State, Loyola, Dayton, Marquette, Butler and Eastern Illinois. Events begin at 1 p.m. ET with the hammer throw and close out with the 4x400-meter relay at 11 p.m. under the lights.

"I'm looking forward to seeing some good times," said head coach Kelly Lycan. "I'm also looking forward to our throwers really getting it going out there, specially in the discus and the hammer throw."

Lycan is also hoping to see his other 400-meter dash runners come close to breaking 57 seconds. Sophomore Ayiana Gaines has held the MAC's top 400 time all outdoor season, and is also the defending MAC title holder in the event. Gaines will be competing in the 100-meter dash for the first time in her career and also taking a shot a the 400-meter hurdles. Competing in the 400 dash will be Davonne Bolden, Diajah Ruffin and Kaniya Weatherspoon.

"There are points to be had in the 400 at the MAC," explained Lycan. "We need to get Diaja, Kaniya and Davonne going. Getting under 57 seconds is the goal for the weekend."

The Broncos will also be looking to improve their time in the 4x100-meter relay. Coach Lycan trots out his best lineup of Sarita Dotson, Naoimi Dulaney, Artia Gunn, and Gaines. The squad is tied with Central Michigan for the third-fasest time in the MAC at 46.27 seconds.

Next week the Broncos split up among the Hillsdale Relays and the famed Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.