Track & field start indoor season

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The track and field program will begin its indoor season Friday as it travels to Saginaw Valley State University for the SVSU Holiday Classic.

This season is a little different, however, as it will be CMU’s first year combining the men’s and women’s squad. In addition to traveling together, both sides will now compete with one another.

“It’s going to very different,” cross country/track and field director Willie Randolph said. “They’ve been training since August, so they’re prepared for it.”

The meet, scheduled to start at 3 p.m., will be non-scoring, serving as an opportunity to get some of the athletes’ prepared for the season ahead.

“We’re looking at getting things started, especially in terms of our youth group,” Randolph said. “Overall, we don’t have really high expectations except going in there and competing.”

Senior All-American Greg Pilling, who finished in eighth place for the discus at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June, and the distance runners will sit out the meet.

Sophomore David Ashcraft is among some of the young sprinters tabbed to compete in individual races.

Prior season

The men are coming off fourth place finishes at the indoor and outdoor Mid-American Conference championships last season while the women are looking to improve upon their seventh place result at the indoor meet and 10th place finish at the outdoor race.

Senior Erika Schroll is coming off a junior season that saw her win conference championships in the high jump at the MAC Indoor and Outdoor championships.

CMU is scheduled to host four indoor meets this season at the Indoor Athletic Complex, including the MAC Indoor Championships Feb. 26 and 27.

“To have a facility and compete … it’s something that we need to take advantage of, and we will,” Randolph said. “What better way to get ready for a conference championship than to get familiar with your own facility.”