The UNI men’s track and field team will be looking to add another Missouri Valley Conference championship to its trophy case this weekend in Des Moines. The Panthers have won eight straight MVC indoor titles and are favored to win a second outdoor title in three years.

UNI coach Chris Bucknam says winning the outdoor meet is a more difficult chore, as he says they need enough depth to score 195 points to win the meet. Bucknam says it’s a challenge and they like challenges and are going in with a mindset that they can win the meet.

Bucknam says the Panthers will have plenty of competition, as he says Indiana State is deep and covers a lot of areas. Wichita State and Illinois State are also teams he expectst to battle. Bucknam says the fewer points it takes to win, the more it favors his team.

Bucknam says the Panther women also hope to make a good showing coming off a second place finish indoors. Bucknam says they’re shooting for one of the top three spots, with Wichita State the clear favorite. Competition begins Friday morning and runs through Sunday.