Lincoln University and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse have combined to win the last 11 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships, and both teams figure to be near the top of the standings this weekend at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Kolf Sports Center.

Lincoln University brings eight qualifiers, led by a pair of returning champions. Christopher Cobbs is the top seed in the 55 meter hurdles with a qualifying mark of 7.46 seconds after winning the event last year in 7.33. Justin Jarmon is the second seed in the triple jump with a mark of 49 feet, 9 1/4 inches after winning the event last year with a 48-10 1/4 effort.

Also for Lincoln University, Chaz Clemons is the second seed in the 55 meter dash, last year's runner-up Steve Mitchell is the eighth seed in the 400 meter dash and the 1,600 meter relay team of Derrick Freeman, Andre O'Donnell, Milton Williams and Mitchell is seeded third.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse sends a large contingent, with 18 qualifiers in 13 events. The Eagles have high seeds everywhere, including top seeds Dan Tutskey (55 meter dash), Jim Nelson (shot put), and Mike Koenning (35 pound weight throw), as well as second seeds Hans Schmidt (pole vault), Andrew Rock (400 meter dash) and the 1,600 meter relay team (Rock, Jesse Reed, Charlie Wittleder, Kevin Yarbrough).

Other top seeds for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse are Adam McKahan (third in the 400 meter dash), Tyler Foos (fourth in the 5,000 meter run) and Ben Stern (fifth in the pole vault). The Eagles' distance medley relay team is seeded fifth, and features Oshkosh native John LeRoy.

Host University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh defeated the Eagles at last weekend's Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship, and feature 11 qualifiers in 14 events. Leading the way is senior Shannon King, who qualified in all three jumps, and won the high jump and triple jump in 1999. The Titans hold the top seed in the distance medley relay, with the quartet of Paul Chellevold, Joe Kelsey, Chris McKenna and Wes Shaughnessy holding a five-second advantage over second-seeded University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Shaughnessy is the fourth seed in the 1,500 meter run, McKenna is the fourth seed in the 800 meter run, Matt Groose is the second seed in the 1,500 meter run and the third seed in the 800 meter run, and Oshkosh native Phil Keskinen is the third seed in the 5,000 meter run.

In that event, Keskinen will have to catch Jesse Drake of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Jeremy Burks of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the top two finishers at last weekend's WIAC meet. Also for the Pointers, defending high jump champion Mike Mead is the third seed in that event, behind King and Raheim Greenridge of Wheaton College (Mass.). Chris Horvat is the second seed in the 800 meter run, and is part of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's sixth-seeded 1,600 meter relay team.

Lynchburg College brings five qualifiers to Oshkosh, led by Kevin Smith, the top seed in the 400 meter dash, and James Goss, the second seed in the long jump. Nebraska Wesleyan University has eight qualifiers, led by Josh Beaver, who will compete in the shot put and the 35 pound weight throw.

Other returning individual champions include Wheaton College's (Mass.) Rob Tyson in the long jump, Pacific Lutheran University's Ryan Dirks in the 35 pound weight throw and McMurry University's Brad Parris in the pole vault.

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is hosting the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships for the third time, with previous sponsorships in 1994 and 1997. In 1994 and 1997, the NCAA Division III champion was the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.