If last year's Little 500 qualifications are any indication, big things should be expected for 1998's version Saturday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

1997 featured Sigma Alpha Epsilon capturing the pole position with the third-best time in the history of Little 500.

With three veteran riders returning, could Sigma Alpha Epsilon do as well, or even better, this year?

"Yes, it's possible," said three-year Sigma Alpha Epsilon rider Matt Delks, a junior. "Our rookie (senior Tom Schmit) strained one of his calves, but if he's OK, it's possible we can improve on that time."

Last year, Sigma Alpha Epsilon finished four seconds faster -- a huge margin in cycling -- than the second-place team, Phi Kappa Psi.

But as most teams are aware, a lot has to go well to be successful on qualification day.

Teams must complete four laps while executing three successful exchanges -- and therein lies the key to recording superior times.

"For the most part, teams have fairly similar one-lap times," said senior Jonathan Purvis of Dodds House, which qualified fifth in 1997 and returns all team members. "The biggest thing that distinguishes the faster teams from the slower ones is exchanges."

And it is probably the quality of exchanges that will prevent three teams from qualifying for Little 500. Thirty-six men's teams are vying to fill just 33 slots.

Other factors important in qualifications are sprinting ability, team depth and track conditions.

Because qualifications are spread out all day -- the first team is scheduled to take the track at 8:25 a.m. and the last at 4:05 p.m. -- weather conditions and the amount of track wear and tear vary throughout the day.

"Traditionally, around noon is most desirable," Purvis said. "Mornings are bad, just because it's early. Also, the track seems to be in best condition in the early afternoon. In the morning, it's usually not at its best."

If what Purvis said rings true, the Mezcla riders will have luck on their side if they're morning people. Mezcla drew the first qualifying attempt time of 8:25 a.m.

While much is made of the pole position team, placing first in qualifications isn't as crucial as it might seem.

In 1997, pole sitter Sigma Alpha Epsilon suffered wrecks and finished the race in ninth place. The champion, Cutters, moved its way up from 19th position.

During the 47 years of Little 500, only seven champions have captured the pole position in the same year. The last pole position team to win the race was Delta Chi in 1993.

"We want to get the pole again," Delks said. "But it's not that important."

Most riders agree placing in the top two or three rows -- there are three teams in a row -- is a desirable position for race day, April 25.

"Basically, you just want to be in the front of the pack -- ideally the first three rows," Purvis said. "Getting in the top 10 is a good place to be."

Besides Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Dodds, other teams to watch Saturday include Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi.

Phi Kappa Psi has placed in the top three at qualifications the past two years.

Phi Gamma Delta finished the race in second last year, narrowly losing a final-lap battle with Cutters.

Phi Delta Theta finished the race eighth and qualified fourth.

Sigma Chi last won the poll position in 1996 and finished 1997's race in fifth.

Qualifications are usually stressful for the riders, but senior Joe Guido, a member of Phi Gamma Delta, said he doesn't let pressure or others' expectations get to him.

"We're basically just out here to have a good time and do our best," he said. "We just do the race our way."