WICHITA -- The Wichita State University track & field program will host the Herm Wilson Classic, presented by Varsity Apartments, on Wednesday, Jan. 12, with the meet continuing into Thursday, Jan. 13.

This will be the first offical meet for the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Champions since the conclusion of the outdoor track & field season.  Wichita State lost several key contributors to graduation following the outdoor season but coach Steve Rainbolt and his staff have accumulated another talented roster that has WSU poised for a title repeat in 2011.

All-American Tyler Simmons (long jump) leads a talented men's squad that features returning indoor champions Josh Crawford (triple jump), Todd McKown (60-meter hurdles) and Dylan Hartnett who was a part of the men's 4x400-meter relay team.  All-conference performers Brandon Childs, Marius Sava, Jackson Toroitich, Krzysztof Slupkowski and Jordan Zerr will also be competing.

The women's side features the Shockers second all-American, Tonya Nero, who won the Valley title at the cross country championships and went on to place 16th at the NCAA Championships, the highest finish ever for a WSU athlete at the meet.  Nero, who holds the school record in the 10,000-meter run, is the Valley champion in the indoor mile and 5,000-meter run and will be flanked by returning MVC champions La'Taish Brown (long jump), Cassie Craig (pole vault) and Audacia Moore (200-meter dash).  Tanya Friesen, Amy Hough, Courtney Reinke, Leah Thompson and Rachel York, who all achieved all-conference status last season, will also be competing throughout the two-day meet.

Admission is free on Wednesday, Thursday is $3 while kids 10-under get in free both days.  WSU students also get in free on Thursday with their Shocker ID card.