BOISE, Idaho – Idaho track and field will split up this weekend, with student-athletes traveling to three separate meets.  The bulk of the team will make the trip south for the Boise State Challenge, taking place on Saturday, Feb. 9.
 
Ben Doucette and Kaizer Gillispie will make their way out to Arkansas for the Tyson Invitational on Friday, while Kara Story and Andrea Condie will take part in the Husky Classic at the University of Washington on Friday as well.
 
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A quick trip down to Boise this weekend offers an extra opportunity for some on the team to get back home.
 
"I'm super excited," said senior, Erin Hagen.  "I have a ton of family and friends who are going to come out and watch."
 
Despite being in the state, Idaho hasn't been to Boise for a meet since Hagen's freshman year.  Even still, she has plenty of experience in the facility. 
 
"I ran on that track a lot in high school, so it should be a lot of fun to get back there."
 
The indoor season is quickly coming to a close, with just one regular season meet lying between the Vandals and the Big Sky Championships in Bozeman.  This year's crop of veterans has been through it all and is looking to show how far they've come, both as individuals and as a team.
 
"We get really competitive.  But it's a positive competition because we really just push each other to train harder and race faster.  In a race, if one of them is in front of me I know I can go with them.  We just really thrive off of each other and it's super fun."
 
And the energy is contagious.
 
"It's the whole team.  Us seniors have really fostered that environment of making sure to keep running as much fun as possible.  Being Division I can be stressful at times, and it shouldn't be, so we try to keep it as fun as possible."
 
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Check back with GoVandals.com after the meet for the full recap and results.
 
To stay current on all Vandal Athletics visit GoVandals.com, or follow the Vandals on Twitter, @Idaho_Vandals.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho track and field/cross country by following the team on Twitter @IdahoTrack.