The Allegheny track and field program is set to compete in the North Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships this weekend at Ohio Wesleyan. Of the eight event championships they claimed in 2009, the Gators will return only three athletes to defend their titles: Chris Marker in the men's 5,000-meter run, Jakeb Zimmerman in the men's 10,000 and Lauren Butler in the women's javelin.

The Allegheny men placed second last season, finishing with 129.5 points. Ohio Wesleyan was the NCAC champion (226) while Wabash took third (122.5).

Gator head coach Bill Ross believes Ohio Wesleyan and Wabash will be championship contenders while Allegheny and Oberlin will battle for third. The "hottest race of the meet" should be the men's 800, which will feature Allegheny's Andrew Mahone and a number of other runners who have hit -- or have come close -- to an NCAA qualifiying mark.

Other key runners for the Gators include Marker, an automatic qualifier in the 5K, and Ryan Hanson, a provisional qualifier in the 1,500.

On the women's side, Butler leads Allegheny into the field. She, a provisional qualifier in the javelin, is the top seed in her signature event. She is also ranked among the Top 4 in the hammer throw and within the Top 8 of the discus.

Mia Symoniak, another provisional qualifier in the 10,000, and Kelly Gallagher are the Gators' top distance runners. They will provide a 1-2 punch in the 5K and 10K.

Beth Muller and Rebecca Lendyak will be key in the sprint events while Holly Wilson is expected to perform well in the long jump and triple jump.

The Gator womenplaced third last season, finishing with 108 points. Ohio Wesleyan was the NCAC champion (225) and Oberlin took second (134).

Ross expects Ohio Wesleyan to be the favorite among the women's squads. Oberlin may challenge for the top spot. The Gators will probably be involved in a battle for third place with Wittenberg.