LANDOVER, Md. - The University of Maryland will host the Maryland Invitational at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Md., this Saturday at 10 a.m.

This is the first meet of the indoor track and field season for the Terrapins' men's and women's programs.

Entering his seventh season with the Terrapins, head coach Andrew Valmon is confident that his student-athletes are well prepared for the upcoming season.

"Our athletes have been training all fall and are anxious to get on the track for competition," said Valmon. "This opener will be a chance for them to get acclimated to indoor track and field again and to get their competitive spirit going."

The Terrapins are excited to start the 2010 indoor track and field season in their own backyard. Just a 15-minute drive from College Park, the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex is an ideal starting point for the Terrapins this season.

"Our athletes have practiced at the complex and should be familiar with the surface," said Valmon. "Starting the season at home allows us to give all athletes the opportunity to compete and to open up in a comfortable atmosphere at home."

Valmon expects great results in all event areas this season, and looks forward to the Maryland Invitational as the first indication of each program's strengths and weaknesses.

"The 60-meter dash should be competitive. There are quite a few high-caliber, unattached athletes who will make for an interesting mix in this event," said Valmon. "The 3,000 run is also loaded and will be dedicated in honor of Col. Tom Fields, who recently passed away."

Retired Marine Col. Thomas M. Fields, a former track star at the University of Maryland and executive director of its Maryland Educational Foundation, died recently at his home in Silver Spring. He was 91. Fields and former Maryland athletic director Jim Kehoe were teammates on Maryland relay teams that won the half-mile, mile and two-mile events at the Penn Relays in 1941.

DIRECTIONS
The Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex is located adjacent to FedEx field. From I-95, take exit 17B (202 North towards Bladensburg). Make a left onto Brightseat Road. Make a right onto Sheriff Road. Make left at the first light (Harvey Drive). Drive up the hill onto the grounds of the Complex. There is no on-site event parking available. Proceed to Satellite Parking at FedEx Stadium Green Lots D/B. Call 301-583-2400 for directions to Satellite Parking.

COMPETING TEAMS
American; Bowie State; Christopher Newport; Coppin State (women's only); Delaware State (men's only); Hagerstown CC; Howard Univ.; Howard CC (men's only); Johns Hopkins; Lincoln (Pa.); Livingstone; Loyola (Md.); Lynchburg; Mary Washington; Maryland; McDaniel; Messiah; Norfolk State; Richmond; St. Paul's College; TNT International Racing Club; Wesley