TOWSON, MD -- The University of Delaware men’s and women’s track and field squads will open the 2008 outdoor season Saturday as the Blue Hens travel to the Towson University Invitational at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

The season-opening meet, which begins at 10 a.m., will feature some of the top teams in the East.

The meet is one of 13 on the schedule for the Blue Hens this spring. The UD men’s and women’s teams will also compete at the Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State (March 28-29), the Asics Invitational at Winthrop University (March 28-29), the Terrapin Invitational at the University of Maryland (March 29), the Colonial Relays at William & Mary (April 4-5), the University of Pennsylvania Invitational (April 5), the Rider Invitational (April 12), the Penn Relays (April 24-26), the Lehigh Games (April 26), and the Tuppeny Twilight Meet at Villanova (May 12).

The Colonial Athletic Association Championships will be held April 18-19 at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, PA with the IC4A and ECAC Championships being held May 16-18 at Princeton. The NCAA East Regionals will take place May 30-31 at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with the NCAA Championships set for June 11-14 at Drake University.

Delaware will host one meet this spring when the Hens host some of the top teams in the East at the Delaware Open May 3 at the Delaware Mini-Stadium beginning at 11 a.m.

Head coach Jim Fischer’s men’s squad placed fifth at the CAA Championships last season and will be led by the return of top five finishers Gregg Cantwell (fourth in the 5,000 meters), Chase Renoll (third in the shot put; fifth in the discus), Doug Alpers (fifth in the shot put), M.J. Rawls (fourth in 400 meter relay), Scott Vari (fourth in 400 meter relay), and Nick Morrisey (fourth in 400 meter relay). Also for the Hens, Brad Dodson placed second in the 1,500 meters and sixth in the 800 meters at the 2006 CAA meet, Will Jurkowski was fourth in the 800 meters in 2006, and Dave Gyurina was seventh in the javelin in 2006.

Head coach Sue McGrath-Powell’s women’s squad finished seventh at the CAA meet last spring and will be led by the return of top five finishers Amanda Marshall (second in the discus), Cristine Marquez (second in the 400 meters; fourth in the 1,600 meter relay), Asha Quant (third in the long jump; fourth in the 1,600 meter relay), Laura Chirico (third in the pole vault), Kelli McDonald (fourth in the pole vault), Alexi Capsouras (fourth in the 400 meter hurdles), Kellyn Wright (fourth in the 1,600 meter relay), and Liz Harvin (fourth in the 1,600 meter relay).