Seniors reminisce at final track and field meet at Jack Skoog


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Greg Cornwell | Staff Photographer Sophomore Ryan Vincent approaches his mark for the pole vault Saturday during the MAC Indoor Track Championships at the Jack Skoog Indoor Track. Vincent cleared 4.58 meters to place 10th.

While the majority of the Central Michigan University track and field team’s members are underclassmen, at the final Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships of their careers a small group of seniors said goodbye to the Jack Skoog Track.

Distance runners Ben Wynsma and Abbey Kelto, as well as 400-meter dash runner Ravyn Baxter, competed for the last time at Skoog.

Wynsma placed sixth in the men’s mile and was able to pick up one point and a podium spot for the Chippewas with a time of 4:15.34.

The distance runner said he could not believe his indoor career was over.

“It hasn’t quite hit me yet,” Wynsma said “It feels kind of strange. It’s hard to not think about next year and then I realize it doesn’t exist.”

Baxter finished fifth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.44 to claim a spot on the podium.

“It’s an unreal feeling,” Baxter said. “I can remember being here as a freshman. It’s an up-and-down feeling knowing it’s my senior year.”

Kelto placed sixth in the 5,000-meter event on Friday, 16:55.18, and seventh in the 3,000-meters on Saturday, 9:41.65, to pick up five points total.

“When I was done, the thought crossed my mind,” Kelto said. “It was my last time racing on an indoor track. I know I’m going to miss it.”

The Chippewas say the time they have spent practicing and playing at the IAC will stick with them for the rest of their lives.

“I’m going to take away a lot of wisdom, strength and positivity,” Baxter said. “You’ve got to remain positive to be able to get the results that you want. Without my team, the dream doesn’t work.”

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About Evan Sasiela

Evan Sasiela is the University Editor at Central Michigan Life and a senior at Central Michigan ...

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