Track, field prepares for ‘last big tune-up’ in Akron

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With Jay-Z music blaring through the speakers Willie Randolph dipped his fingers into a Styrofoam cup half-filled with lotion.

He spread it across the leg of sophomore sprinter Ross Parsons and talked with him about how he felt running in previous meets and practices.

Randolph said it was a typical Wednesday: recovery day.

Randolph, the Central Michigan director of track and field, said athletes used the light practice to get in some work, but also focus on resting for the upcoming meets at Grand Valley State and Akron. He also said the meets this weekend will be the final preparation before the team enters what he called “the meat of the season.”

“This is pretty much our final big tune-up,” Randolph said. “It’ll allow us to get more comfortable and grow in confidence.”

The distance runners will compete at the Big Meet, at Grand Valley State University, beginning 10 a.m. both today and Saturday.

The rest of the CMU track and field team will compete at the Akron Invitational at Akron 5 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Randolph said it’s important for the athletes besides the distance runners to compete at Akron, because it’s where the Mid-American Conference indoor championship will be in two weeks.

“It’s important for sprinters, throwers and jumpers to get used to the environment,” he said.

He said there are no weaknesses on the team that require special attention. However, he said, the small injuries around the team have caused them to lighten workouts, or sit out a couple practices. Randolph said the expectations are still the same.

“We expect a lot of things from everybody,” he said. “We’re not really waiting to stop and wait for anybody to catch up.”