This weekend WKU will host the annual Hilltopper Relays at the Ruter Track and Field Complex. 

Competition begins Friday with the men and women’s hammer throw and lasts through Saturday, ending with the men and women’s javelin throw. 

The Hilltopper Relays have grown in participant numbers, according to recruiting coordinator and assistant coach Willie Johnson, with teams receiving invitations to the relays as well as electing to come on their own accord.

Four more teams have joined the relays since last year, growing from 11 teams to 15, including Central Michigan, Tennessee Tech, Murray State and Kentucky State.

Weather could potentially upset the starting of the event on Friday. However, the Hilltoppers are still hoping for a competitve atmosphere that the hosts can thrive in. 

“I’m very excited. A lot of the meets we travel are away so to actually have your home crowd there cheering you on is really exciting,” sophomore Sandra Akachukwu said. “Coming off my injury, I’m excited to be doing better than before. I’m ready to move on to the next level.” 

This meet will set the mark for individual regional qualifiers, which will decide which individuals will qualify for the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, California. 

“This meet is a great opportunity for individuals to qualify at home in front of friends and family. We’ve been able to put down some really great marks at home and we look forward to doing it again,” Johnson said. 

Sophmore Emmnauel Dasor posted eight top-10 finishes in sprint competitions during his first regular season as a Hilltopper. He was a big factor in last week’s Florida Relays which featured six top-25 men’s programs. In his first outdoor 100-meter race of the season. He finished 24 with a time of 10.56 seconds. 

Although Dasor said his time should have been better, he doesn’t blame anyone. He wasn’t expecting that result, but hopes to run the event again in Saturday’s race to top his record. 

“As a team, we push each other a lot at practice every day,” Dasor said. “We make sure we take good care of our bodies and maximize our potential at practice.”

“There’s been massive improvements and that’s going to help us a lot this weekend.”