One last chance for women to qualify for NCAAs
The Central Michigan women’s track and field team didn’t get what they wanted last week at the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships.
But for some athletes, the indoor season isn’t over yet.
The Chippewas will head to South Bend, Ind., for the Alex Wilson Invitational this weekend, where they will try and get some athletes qualified for nationals. The NCAA meet accepts the top 16 to 18 scorers in the country.
“We’re focusing on taking some athletes for a final opportunity to improve their marks in the nation and make it to nationals,” track and field director Willie Randolph said. “We have athletes that we're giving opportunities to try and see if they can improve and get ready for outdoor.”
For the women, a couple of the athletes that will be competing this weekend are seniors Shanaye Carr and Jordan Dunn.
Carr, who is the Mid-American Conference champion in the 60-meter dash, is trying to reach the 20-foot mark in her long jump, hoping that it will solidify her as a national qualifier.
“Carr has a pretty solid long jump (19 feet, 10 1/4 inches)," Randolph said. "If she can get to the 20s, that will possibly put her into nationals. That would be a huge accomplishment for a female athlete.”
Dunn, who is the school record holder in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.61 last weekend at the MAC championships, will try to get her score down to a time of 7.40.
“Nationals mark is 7:30, but I’m trying to get 7:40,” Carr said. “I need to be more explosive out of the blocks, finish strong and pump my arms more.”
Athletes who aren’t competing this weekend are busy getting ready for March 25-26 at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn., the start to the outdoor season.
“We’re going to have to make sure our team is strong for outdoors,” Randolph said. “Hopefully we get better and start progressing to be ready to go when it’s most important"
