The NCAA West Preliminary track and field meet that begins Thursday in Kansas represents a complete mixed bag for a program like UTEP.
On the one hand, the three-day, two-round format is odd, inherently fan unfriendly and represents a potential stumbling block for star athletes like 100-meter hurdler Tobi Amusan and 800 runner Jonah Koech, who have to navigate a pair of races to make it to the final two rounds in Eugene, Ore.
On the other hand, for most of the 12 UTEP athletes going to Lawrence, Kansas, who come in well down the qualifying list, the preliminaries extend their season and gives them a chance to find some magic to qualify for a national meet that would be beyond them otherwise.