While many students relaxed at home after the semester came to a close last Friday, the track and field team shifted their focus from academics to athletics, primarily the most important meet of the year: the Mid-American Conference Championships in Akron.
For the first time since Ohio switched from the quarter to the semester system, the Bobcats ended their in-class duties before taking on the MAC Championship and had a week to fully concentrate on their sport.
Heading into the first day of competition, however, the Bobcats had to wait until the last of today’s four events before seeing the university’s name on the scoreboard. Morgan Reichert and Krista Roehlig won the three points for Ohio, crossing the finish line of the 10000-meter race in 7th and 8th, respectively. Their performance put the Bobcats into the ninth place overall.
With the meet mostly holding throwing events on the first day, the Bobcats experienced a traditionally weak day, as most Bobcats placed in the double digits, which is far from the scoring ranks. Senior Lauren McCullough broke the Top 10 just once in the javelin throw with a distance of 126 ft. 7 in. placing her in ninth place.
Furthermore, the Bobcats were not represented in the pole vault, as only the top 20 MAC athletes qualified in each event for the conference meet.
The Bobcats have plenty of scoring opportunities left, as the 3000-meter steeplechase final and the women’s long jump take place tomorrow. The junior-duo comprised of Melissa Thompson and Juli Accurso will attempt to qualify for the 1500-meter final, while senior Danielle Winningham tries to accomplish the same over the 800-meter distance.
Team standings after day one:
1. Akron – 30
2. Kent State – 29
3. Buffalo – 21.50
4. Miami – 19
5. Toledo – 17
6. Eastern Michigan – 14.50
7. Central Michigan – 12
8. Bowling green – 10
9. Ohio University – 3
10. Western Michigan – 0
10. Ball State – 0
10. Northern Illinois – 0
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