For Washington's collegiate teams, it's the quiet before the conference storm with last chance meets...

For the state's nine NCAA Division I & II schools, this weekend is the quiet before the storm of next weekend's conference championship meets.

On the east side of the state, Eastern Washington, and Washington State head to Moscow, Idaho for the two-day Vandal Jamboree on the campus of the University of Idaho.

Athletes who are on the brink of qualifying or not qualifying for next week's conference championship meets will try to prove to their coaches that they're worthy of making the travel squad for the big meet next week.

Across the state in Seattle, squads from Western Washington, Central Washington, SeattleU, Seattle Pacific, Saint Martin's will converge upon the brand new Husky Track as the University of Washington hosts the Ken Shannon Invitational Saturday.

Like their counterparts in Idaho, this meet is a last chance opportunity to prove themselves before next weekend's championship meets.

For the multi-eventers from the UW and WSU, the Pac-12 conference meet actually gets underway Saturday at Cromwell Field on the campus of the University of Southern California.

The Huskies will send to LA 2011 Pac-10 decathlon champ Jeremy Taiwo (above/photo courtesy University of Washington) along with frosh Josh Gordon, while the Cougs will travel Sean Harris and Spencer Wordell.

Shelby Williams will be the lone multi-eventer on the women's side, as the UW junior looks to crack the 5000 point barrier and place in the top eight.

Washington's release previewing the Ken Shannon Invitational and the Pac-12 multi-event championship meet is available here, while Washington State's preview of the Vandal Jamboree is available here.

On the post-collegiate circuit, Washington State alum Joe Abbott (800m) and former Spokane prep standout Britney Henry (hammer) will compete in Friday's Oregon Twilight meet in Eugene.

Four time US Olympian and Renton HS grad Aretha Thurmond is entered in the discus at the Jamaica International Invitational in Kingston.