2008 Woodie Awards
Men look to return to top of conference
D.J. Palomares
By: Men look to return to top of conference
Issue date: 1/7/08 Section: Sports
The men's track and field team finished second to last in the Mid-American Conference indoor meet last season.
It was a drastic turnaround from the 2005 season when the men won the MAC Championship. The Chippewas will look to regain the glory of a conference title this season.
"Eastern Michigan has won the MAC Indoor Championship every year besides 2005, when we won, so we are looking to get that crown back," said senior distance runner Matt Loiselle.
Additions to the team include freshman Cory Arnold from Shelby, Ohio, a two-time All-Ohio runner in high school cross country.
"I came to Central because of the rich tradition of the track program and for the chance to win a MAC Championship," Arnold said.
Freshman Matthew Winters, a pole vaulter from Potterville, was a member of the Division 4 state championship team last year. Freshman Cyrus Azizi from Canton holds two of his high school records in relay races.
Azizi also was selected as a part of the all-state team as a high school senior despite battling an injury all season. Azizi plans on attempting to stay healthy his first season at the collegiate level.
Freshman Jeffrey Maxfield, a three-time all-state runner, joins the Chippewas after a second-place finish in the 1,600-meter race in the state finals.
Loiselle also returns and is a two-time second-team All-MAC member in cross country.
"This year, I think things will be different, based off of what I've seen from fall practices," he said. "Our team is more talented and has more desire than last year, and our roster is bigger, so there is no room for slack."
Also returning to the team is junior sprinter Marcell Maxwell. Maxwell finished first for Central in the 60-meter dash during last season's indoor MAC Championship.
The Chippewas competed in December in the Michigan State Invitational in East Lansing that was non-scoring. They have six meets before the MAC Indoor Championships, including two meets in Mount Pleasant.
sports@cm-life.com
It was a drastic turnaround from the 2005 season when the men won the MAC Championship. The Chippewas will look to regain the glory of a conference title this season.
"Eastern Michigan has won the MAC Indoor Championship every year besides 2005, when we won, so we are looking to get that crown back," said senior distance runner Matt Loiselle.
Additions to the team include freshman Cory Arnold from Shelby, Ohio, a two-time All-Ohio runner in high school cross country.
"I came to Central because of the rich tradition of the track program and for the chance to win a MAC Championship," Arnold said.
Freshman Matthew Winters, a pole vaulter from Potterville, was a member of the Division 4 state championship team last year. Freshman Cyrus Azizi from Canton holds two of his high school records in relay races.
Azizi also was selected as a part of the all-state team as a high school senior despite battling an injury all season. Azizi plans on attempting to stay healthy his first season at the collegiate level.
Freshman Jeffrey Maxfield, a three-time all-state runner, joins the Chippewas after a second-place finish in the 1,600-meter race in the state finals.
Loiselle also returns and is a two-time second-team All-MAC member in cross country.
"This year, I think things will be different, based off of what I've seen from fall practices," he said. "Our team is more talented and has more desire than last year, and our roster is bigger, so there is no room for slack."
Also returning to the team is junior sprinter Marcell Maxwell. Maxwell finished first for Central in the 60-meter dash during last season's indoor MAC Championship.
The Chippewas competed in December in the Michigan State Invitational in East Lansing that was non-scoring. They have six meets before the MAC Indoor Championships, including two meets in Mount Pleasant.
sports@cm-life.com
