WSU track and field will send athletes to compete in two separate meets Saturday: the Pepsi Team Invitational and Spokane Community College War XI.

Wayne Phipps, director of cross-country and track and field, said the Pepsi Invitational in Eugene, Oregon, is unique and gives the team a rare early season opportunity to compete.

“This is a great meet to have at this time of the year,” he said, “as it prepares us for Pac-12’s.”

Among the notable names participating in Eugene is redshirt junior thrower Amani Brown. Most recently, Brown finished sixth in the hammer throw at the Stanford Invitational.

Two Cougars will compete in the women’s 1,500-meter, which is projected to be very competitive.

First is sophomore Kaili Keefe. Keefe competed at the Stanford Invitational and finished 10th. In addition, freshman Zorana Grujic will compete in her first career 1,500-meter.

Redshirt senior hurdler and multi-event performer Alissa Brooks-Johnson will take part in the meet as well. She competed at the Jim Bush Legends Invitational last week, finishing first in the 400-meter hurdle, and third in the 100-meter hurdle.

Away from the Pepsi Invitational, a select few Cougars will compete at the Spokane Community College War XI.

It is considered a development meet for athletes who have not yet posted high enough marks to compete in a scored meet.

In the men’s sprints section, freshman Trey Lopes will compete in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, along with junior Jake Nienhuis.

For the men’s distance runners, redshirt sophomore Nathan Tadesse will compete in the 1,500-meter run. Sophomore Andrew Cooper, junior Jake Finney, freshman Zak Kindl and freshman Luke Schilter will compete in the 5,000-meter run.

WSU will send two jumpers to the meet. Freshman Beau Sheeran will compete in the high jump and redshirt junior Josh Colbert will compete in the triple and long jumps.

Rounding out the men is redshirt senior thrower Brad Stevens, who will compete in the hammer throw.

On the women’s side, freshman sprinters Cordelia Olson and Imani Moronkola will compete in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

The women’s distance team will send a platoon of runners, including redshirt sophomore Breya Wynne, who will compete in the 800-meter run, and freshman Kiyena Beatty, who will take part in the 1,500 meter.