The weekend that the Ohio State men’s and women’s indoor track teams have been waiting for is finally here – The Big Ten championships.The men will travel to Wisconsin and compete, while the women will host the championships at the French Field House.”The Big Ten’s add a little pressure to the mix, no matter what the sport,” sophomore Andrew Pierce said. “It’s the one event everyone gets ready for.”Pierce is one of the Bucks who should do very well in Wisconsin. He currently holds the nation’s fastest time in the 400 meters (:46.12), and is also the school’s record holder in the event. He looks to improve upon last year’s fourth place finish in the indoor Big Tens. “Everyone wants to win their events, but this year I think I have a really good shot at doing it,” Pierce said. He will also be one of the favorites in the 200 meter dash and will anchor the 4 x 400 meter relay team which has dominated the competition so far this year.Ian Connor should also take home a couple of awards. Connor, who finished 15th in the NCAA cross country championships last autumn, is a favorite to win the 3,000 meter run. David Gonzales should also provide additional depth in the distance events.Ryan Grear (60-meter hurdles), Joe Crallie (long jump) and Brian Ely (600 meters) are all planning on top three finishes. Football team additions Leandre Liggins and Reggie Germany will also help the Buckeyes try to avenge last year’s tenth place finish in the Big Tens. “If everyone does what they’re supposed to, the guys could very much place in the top three,” coach Russ Rogers said.The women’s team will look to take advantage of running in familiar surroundings and do better than its fourth place finish last year. Headlining will be All-Americans Dominque Calloway and Donica Merriman. The two have been placing either first or second throughout the course of the season in the 60 meter hurdles. Competing against each other has raised their individual performance level. “She’s a great athlete and gives me a lot of competition every time I race. We make each other improve our times constantly,” Calloway said of Merriman.Merriman has equally good things to say about Calloway: “She’s a really good runner. I know that if I can stay close to her or beat her, than I know myself I’m a good runner as well.”Calloway will also participate in the 200 meters and the 4 x 400 meter relay. “I’m really excited, probably because it’s at home this year,” Calloway said. “I’ll try to treat it like any other track meet and not get too stressed out just because it’s called the Big Ten Championships.”Merriman looks to defend her title in the 55-meter hurdles and also become champion in the 55 meter dash and 200 meters. She has ran a personal best time of :8.22 in the hurdles earlier this season and attests that to hard off-season work and improved confidence. “I’ve been in the weight room a lot and I’m a year older and stronger. Mentally I know what I’m doing,” she said. “Nobody can beat me unless I allow them to beat me … I can run when I want.Assistant sprints and hurdles coach Candy Young added: “Her drops in time have been amazing… she’s always progressing.”Desiree Jones is expecting to make a strong showing in the pentathlon. She placed second in the event last year. Alexis Schulist (3,000 meters), Carrie Hoblet (800 meters), Ayanna Reece (600 meters), Cathy Rejouis (400) and Karen Keys (shot put) will also compete for conference honors.”The only thing we are lacking is bodies. Our depth isn’t quite there,” Young said. “Michigan has a lot of it and will probably pick up a lot of lower-end points, whereas we’ll get a lot of higher-end ones. Despite that, we should still place in the top three.”The events are slated to kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday.