SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth's track and field teams will transition to the outdoor season this weekend as the Pirates open the 2007 schedule at the Willamette Opener on Saturday. The first events at Charles Bowles Track will begin at 9:00 am.

Whitworth's men and women will spend much of the season attempting to qualify for the 2007 Northwest Conference Championships, which will take place on April 20-21 at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. The Pirate men hope to improve on last season's fifth place finish, while the Whitworth women will try to move up from third place.

Head coach Toby Schwarz has streamlined his program this season, cutting down a little bit on quantity to give a greater focus to quality, both of athletes and in the training program.

"With this new philosophy that we have adopted, we have a smaller and more committed group of student-athletes," Schwarz said. "The level of excitement at practice is extremely high and this energy will lead to both programs going to the next level."

The Pirate men's team will carry 40 athletes on its roster this season, with 30 of those freshmen or sophomores. However, two key veterans will provide the leadership. Brandon Howell (Jr., Clarkston, Wash. - Clarkston) and Ben Spaun (Jr., Wenatchee, Wash. - Wenatchee) are NWC favorites and potential All-Americans in the 800 run and decathlon, respectively. A few freshmen will make immediate impacts though. Cody Stelzer (Fr., The Dalles, Ore. - The Dalles) has had a very strong indoor season in the high jump, making national qualifying marks. Dusty Caseria (Fr., Bellingham, Wash. - Sehome) was an All-Regional finisher in cross country. Shane Thomas (Fr., Spokane, Wash. - North Central) and Jeff Kintner (Fr., Wenatchee, Wash.) made solid impacts on the football team as freshmen and will compete well in the sprints and throws, respectively.

"The make up of our men's team gives us confidence for the future," said Schwarz. "But we are extremely excited about the present."

The Whitworth women's team will have 30 athletes, over half of whom are distance runners. Jo E Meyer (Fr., Spokane, Wash. - East Valley) had an outstanding freshman season in cross country and will be a force on the track as well. Kristen Dormaier (Jr., Hartline, Wash. - Almira/Coulee-Hartline) is healthy this season and could score in several events, from the heptathlon to sprints and horizontal jumps. Suzy Viducich (Sr., Hillsboro, Ore. - Hillsboro), a former national championship participant in the high jump, returns to the team this season.

"Our women will be in the mix for a conference championship, as they have been for each of the past seven seasons," said Schwarz.