The field house had less of a bustle to it than usual. At a quick glance, one might not have even noticed the track and field practice taking place.

A small group of track and field athletes will be competing in two separate events this weekend in an attempt to qualify for nationals.

Assistant coach Steve Rajewsky said that about 10-12 athletes will be traveling to Notre Dame and Virginia Tech in an attempt to improve their marks.

Assistant coach Brooke Demo will take senior Kim Preston and junior Domenica Rossi, two pole-vaulters, to the Virginia Tech Qualifier in Blacksburg, Va.

“We’re trying to get a national qualifying mark and get the girls to break the Kent State indoor record,” Demo said. “It’s a good place to jump; they have a good field.”

Preston, who won the pole vault at the 2012 MAC Indoor Championships, said that after the conference championships, the pressure is off.

Rossi, who tied for fifth at the 2012 MAC Indoor Championships, said that with the pressure off, she can jump just for fun.

The other group of about 10 athletes will travel to Notre Dame to compete in the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Ind.

Junior Kenneth Agee and senior Dean Wood, who finished first and second in the 2012 MAC Indoor Championships in the high jump, will travel to improve their heights.

“[We] have more confidence from this weekend,” Agee said.

Wood’s confidence was sky high as well, saying that he thinks he is probably in the best shape he has been, and that both jumpers can improve their marks.

Contact Daniel Staimpel at [email protected].