ITHACA, N.Y. -- Less than two weeks from the end of cross country season, the Cornell track and field program is already opening up the indoor track season. The Big Red begins the year with the Cornell Relays, which will be held on Saturday at Barton Hall in Ithaca.

For the men, the 2009-10 season appears to be another record-setting one as Cornell will try to become the first program in Heptagonal Games history to win eight straight outdoor championships since the first games were held 74 years ago. The Big Red returns an astounding 37 athletes who previously were qualifiers for the IC4A Championships along with 30 athletes who have previously scored at the Heptagonal Championships. There will still be challenges, as the Big Red will have to overcome the graduation loss of some of the greatest athletes in Ivy League history, including past Heptagonal Champions Garrett Huyler, Sage Canaday and Zac Hine.

On the women's side, the task appears tougher, having to replace the departed Jeomi Maduka and Maria Matos, who combined for 22 Heptagonal Championships over the past four seasons, among a host of other talented contributors in all facets of the team. Six returning league champions from last year's team lead the way, while others will help fill the hole left by the graduating seniors. Cornell appears to be extremely deep in the sprint hurdle group, the middle distances and in the field events, with countless athletes ready to step up into starring roles.

The season kicks off on Saturday with the Cornell Relays, which will begin at 10 a.m. at Barton Hall. A complete schedule of the day's events can be found below. Results from the meet will be posted on CornellBigRed.com on Saturday evening.

Meet Schedule