University of Washington releases 2011 indoor track schedule...

SEATTLE--The University of Washington released its 2011 indoor track schedule, featuring six meets over five weekends, highlighted by the Husky Classic on February 11-12, and the MPSF Championships on February 25-26.

The Dempsey only continues to increase in prestige as does the level of athletes and performances that take place within. Last season, fans witnessed U.S. Olympians and World Championship participants such as Nick Symmonds, Shannon Rowbury, Jesse Williams, Jen Rhines (left/photo by Paul Merca), Billy Nelson, Galen Rupp, Evan Jager and current American 10,000-meter record-holder Chris Solinsky.

The Dempsey also witnessed the fastest distance medley relay in history when the Oregon Track Club clocked 9:21.77 led by Symmonds.

Once again, the Dempsey sent dozens if not hundreds of athletes to the NCAA Championships, as it dominated the descending order lists for every event from the mile to 5,000-meters. Looking at the Top-10 times nationally in the mile, 3,000m, and 5,000m, 20 of the 30 best times came from the Dempsey on the men's side, while 14 of the top-30 times on the women's side were posted on the Dempsey oval.

The indoor season kicks off with the UW Indoor Preview on Saturday, January 15. Two weeks later comes the UW Invitational, held over Friday and Saturday, January 28-29.

The biggest meet of the year is the Husky Classic, which expanded to two days last season and remains that way for 2011. The meet begins Friday, February 11, with the bulk of the events on Saturday, February 12. The following day, February 13, brings the annual UW Indoor Open meet.
The Huskies will once again host the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Championships this season, which is set for February 25-26. The MPSF meet features eight of the 10 Pac-10 schools which sponsor indoor track as well as entries from the Big West.

The season wraps up with the UW Final Qualifier on March 5, one of a handful of official qualifying meets around the country held one week prior to the NCAA Indoor Championships. Nationals are located in College Station, Texas this year on March 11-12.

NOTE:  The University of Washington sports information office contributed to this report.