After splitting the team last week between two meets, the women’s track team will stay together this week for the Jesse Owens Classic.

The meet begins at 2 p.m. today at Ohio State University and 35 teams are scheduled to compete in the two-day event.

Last weekend, some athletes competed at the Oregon Relays, while the rest of the team stayed in-state at the Hillsdale Relays.

“Last week was a really great week for us as a team,” said junior distance runner Sarah Squires. “We finally started to step it up and it showed. We need to make a statement this weekend and I think we are ready to do that.”

With the Mid-American Conference Championships taking place May 14-16, the team only has two weeks to improve its marks and times.

“The OSU meet is going to be very competitive and a great stage to make our final preparations going into the MAC conference meet,” said junior team captain and middle distance runner Erin Dillon. “Our team is very excited to go to Columbus and get things done this weekend.”

Squires said the strong field will push the team to improve its times.

“It is a perfect opportunity for us because the competition will be incredible,” Squires said. “When you’re trying to get fast times, big jumps and big throws, having other people there to push you helps out a lot.”

Not all of the girls on the team are competing in the outdoor MAC meet. Head coach Karen Lutzke said she will select her squad soon.

“This weekend is very important because the coaches will base most of their decisions about who will stay to run the MAC meet off of our performances at the Jesse Owens Classic,” Squires said.

In order for the Chippewas to succeed, the whole team needs to be on the same page and continue to improve times, Dillon said.

“Before going into the MAC meet we just need to make sure everyone is performing well on the same day,” she said.

The Big Ten Network will broadcast the non-scored meet, with a tape delay.

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E-mail the author: John Evans