Many seniors sitting out final home meet
A week before the biggest competition of the track and field indoor season, the Central Michigan track and field teams will be taking it easy.
Most of the premiere athletes will not be participating, so that they can rest prepare mentally for the MAC championships next week. It will not be team scoring, but other schools like Alma and Michigan Tech will be in action.
Field events are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. while running events will get underway at 6 p.m.
“This meet is going to fine-tune little things and (provide) a last chance for national qualifiers,” said Willie Randolph, director of track and field.
There will be some athletes, like jumpers, who will participate to get some repetitions in, while senior thrower Whitney Johnson will be going for the school record — 62 feet, 6 inches — in the weight toss.
The Chippewas have been on the road since the Jan. 14 Chippewa Invite, at which the Chippewas won.
“We want to keep our athletes at home where they're comfortable," Randolph said. "They will get a chance to rest their bodies and minds. We're trying to get them focused on what they have to do when they do go out on the road again next weekend.”
For the seniors, it will be final time to perform at the Jack Skoog Indoor Track. While many of them will not even get the chance to compete, it gives them a chance to step back and reflect on their team at CMU. Among those athletes is sprinter Jordan Dunn.
“My most memorable moment here would be when we almost won MACs last season," Dunn said. "I didn’t get to run in the finals, but I felt it was a nice atmosphere and exciting. We were so close to winning."
CMU will be using the motivation of being so close to the MAC championship last year next week when they compete to take away Kent State’s title.
“This meet is going to fine tune little things and a last chance for national qualifiers,” Randolph said.
