WSU track and field will compete in four meets over the next three days as the Pac-12 Championships inch closer.

In one of the team’s busiest weeks of the year, the Cougars will send athletes to compete in the Long Beach State Pacific Coast Intercollegiate, the Bryan Clay Invitational and the Long Beach State Beach Invite in California, while some athletes won’t have to travel far to participate in the Spokane Memorial #2.

WSU started competition at the Bryan Clay Invitational on Wednesday, but will continue to take the track at the Cougar Athletic Stadium in Azusa, California, through Friday.

With the cancellation of the Cougar Invitational last Saturday, WSU received a much-needed rest for this weekend’s events.

“Having a little break for this group, as much as it’s fun to compete at home, was the smart decision and I think it was best for everybody across the board,” said Wayne Phipps, director of track and field and cross country.

The break gave the program a chance not only to rest for the busy weekend, but also to prepare for some challenging opponents and obstacles that have yet to come.

“Every meet from here on in is of big importance and amazing quality of competition,” Phipps said.

Earlier this month, 38 WSU student athletes were named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation 2018 Indoor Track and Field All-Academic Scholar-Athlete teams. WSU women tied for first with Brigham Young University with 22 female honorees, while the men had 16, the second most of any school behind Stanford University.

“Our academic support service staff here does an amazing job and they set team goals for us,” Phipps said. “We work hard as a group to try to hit those goals, and getting recognized is very important to our group.”

Live results of the meets can be found at wsucougars.com