Track and field competes at LSU in first outdoor season meet
The recent heat wave could factor into a strong start for the Central Michigan outdoor track and field season in its first outdoor meet this weekend at the LSU Relays in Baton Rouge, La.
Temperatures there have been mild for the south, which is near the temperatures in Mount Pleasant. A twist of luck that may give the team an advantage in contrast to cooler springs of the past that keep the team training mostly indoors.
Field events start at 10:30 a.m. today to begin the two-day meet. Running events will begin at approximately 2:15 p.m.
Events will begin again at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
The Chippewas first outdoor meet of the season will pit them against the top track and field teams in the nation.
LSU, the host, will compete throughout the weekend including Team Canada, Akron, Tulane, Arkansas State and Grambling State.
For seniors, the outdoor season will be their last chance to earn a Mid-American Conference championship. In the MAC indoor championship on Feb. 24 and 25, the men's team finished third while the women's team finished 10th.
Director of track and field Willie Randolph said during the indoor season that Kent State would be a challenge in both the indoor and outdoor conference championships.
The Akron men's team finished in second place at the indoor conference championship and the women's team won it.
Thirty-four athletes will compete for CMU at the Relays, which will mostly be sprinters, throwers and jumpers. Twenty-two athletes from the men's team will compete, with the remaining 12 from the women's.
The Chippewas will host just two home meets throughout the rest of the season. The Lyle Bennett Open is April 28, followed by the MAC championship two weeks later on May 10-12.
