Track and field prepares for Saginaw Valley State
Wisconsin freshman Erick Huertas hands off the baton to a teammate in their relay during the track scrimmage against Oakland on Friday, Jan. 16.
Following a successful start to the season in the Jack Skoog Dual, the Central Michigan University men's and women's track and field teams turn their attention to the next opponent.
The Chippewas will journey east to University Center for the Doug Hansen Open at 2:30 p.m., on Friday , at Saginaw Valley State University.
Mark Guthrie, CMU's track and field director said this week's competition. However, the team is trying to improve on last week's performance.
“We had a good meet last weekend and got out of it healthy," Guthrie said. "You are trying to be good on the days that matter the most, which are your conference meets and your national meets. It is just continued progression and training to get to that point."
The Chippewas last competed on Jan. 16, when the men and women defeated Oakland University at home. The men pulled off an 80-60 win over the Golden Grizzlies, while the women took a 98-44 decision.
SVSU's track is 300 meters long, 100 meters longer than CMU's at the Indoor Athletic Complex.
SVSU's men's team will present a tough matchup for CMU. The Cardinals are led by junior runner Josh Simmons, who won the 400 meter dash at the SVSU Classic last week with at time of 49.61. The Chippewas' best mark in that category on Friday was made by sophomore Quincy Briggs, who finished the race in 51.90.
The Cardinals posted first place finishes at their Classic in the 60 meter dash (Malik Washington, 7.12), 3000 meter run (Joey Southgate, 8:50.25), and 60 meter hurdles (D'Omar Boyden, 8.72). SVSU also notched field event wins in both genders in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump. The Cardinal women also claimed a victory in the 60 meter hurdles.
Meanwhile, the Cardinal women received a first place finish from Jessica Reeves in the 3000 meter run with a time of 10:42.78. CMU junior distance runner Kelly Schubert also won in that category, with a time of 10:04.44.
A highlight for CMU last week was from freshman sprinter Tina Davis, who finished with victories in the 60 meter dash (7.66) and 200 meter dash (25.72) to give CMU 10 of its 98 points.
Guthrie will rest some of CMU's top athletes this weekend during the nonconference showdown. Polish hurdler Ziemowit Dutkiewicz will be inactive on Friday as well as high jumper Matt Mueller, who cleared 7-foot and one quarter inch last week. On the women's side mile runner Abbey Kelto will also sit out.
Guthrie says this week is about getting better for Mid-American Conference play.
“Take care of your own business," Guthrie said. "Right now it is about us being the best us we can be. From a year ago, first meet to first meet, I believe that we are much farther ahead."
