Track and field athletes to have 'last chance' in Friday's meet at GVSU
With the Mid-American Conference track and field Indoor Championships one week away, Central Michigan University athletes will get a chance to rest and gear up for the Feb. 27 event.
“This week is the final run,” Head Coach Mark Guthrie said. “We are resting some individuals who are in a good position in the MAC honor roll. For a lot of (athletes), they are trying to make the MAC meet. For those who don’t, this is going to be their conference championship.”
Guthrie said it will be their “last chance” to make an impact on the Chippewas’ season.
CMU will travel to Allendale for the Grand Valley State University Tune-Up at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Kelly Family Sports Center.
“This week is the final run,” Guthrie said. “We are resting some individuals who are in a good position in the MAC honor roll. For a lot of (athletes), they are trying to make the MAC meet. For those who don’t, this is going to be their conference championship.”
Grand Valley State University
CMU will square off against a variety of teams on the oval when it heads to GVSU.
The Lakers are hosting their Senior Night, and the Chippewas will try to spoil the celebration with their speed on the track.
When weather forced the Chippewas to stay an extra night in Ohio after last week’s meet at the Spire Institute, Guthrie said the Chippewas are looking forward to a short drive to West Michigan.
“It’s close to home so you don’t have to travel great distances,” Guthrie said. “It’s a nice, short trip. You’re competing at home and sleeping in your own bed that night.”
CMU was supposed to travel to the University of Michigan on Saturday for the Silverston Invitational, but decided to forgo the meet and rest up for next week.
Men’s Notes: Walderzak, Vasquez have different leadership styles
The men’s team has been led all season by co-captains Cole Walderzak and Malik Vasquez.
At the Spire Invite, Walderzak placed fifth in the weight throw. Vasquez ran for sixth place in the 400-meter dash. Both athletes have automatically qualified for the MAC Indoor Championships.
“You have two types of leaders – those who are vocal leaders and those who lead by example.” Guthrie said. “Cole is more of a get-it-done kind of guy, Vasquez has not evolved into a team leader. He is more chatty.”
Women’s Notes: Top runners to rest this week
Last week, Munising native Abbey Kelto broke the indoor school record in the 3000 meter with a fifth-place finish.
Kelto, junior Kelly Schubert and freshman Kirsten Olling have each qualified for the 3000-meter and 5000-meter events in the MAC Championships.
Guthrie said he is going to rest them this week, along with the seventh place 4x400 relay team of senior Emily Fishnick, sophomore Kelsey Ross, senior Bridget Doughty and senior Ravyn Baxter.
“They haven’t had a break yet,” Guthrie said. “They’ve got to get off their legs. We’re extremely pleased with how they’re doing up to this point in time.”
