Although the season ended for most members of the Ohio track teams with the conference championships, five Bobcats have a chance to compete at the NCAA Mideast Regional meet this weekend in Knoxville, Tenn.
For Scott Mayle, the trip to regionals has highlighted a year full of accomplishments. He was injured during the indoor season and didn't return to action until April 28, at the Hillsdale Relays.
In his first meet back, Mayle qualified for regionals in the long jump, which earned him the Co-Mid-American Conference Field Athlete of the Week honors. He went on to capture the MAC title in the high jump and placed fourth in the 100-meter dash.
Mayle already has advanced to the national meet twice, including a trip last season. He is the defending regional champion in the long jump and has a good chance at repeating.
As long as he's feeling healthy
he's got a great chance at going to nationals coach Clay Calkins said. He's been there twice before and he has the best chance at advancing.
Brian King also is representing the Ohio men at the meet in the 3000-meter steeplechase. King, recently named to the Academic All-MAC team, qualified with a time of 9 minutes, 3.14 seconds.
On the women's side, Jaclyn Lugaila, Chelsea Stephan and Jessica Kestler all earned the chance to represent the Bobcats at the meet.
Obviously the more people we send to regionals the better it is for our program
Calkins said.
Lugaila is set to compete in both the shot put and hammer throw this weekend. She has been Ohio's most consistent performer and has set school records in both events.
Kestler will run the 400-meter hurdles, which she qualified for during the conference championships. Her time of 59.99 seconds is the third-best in Ohio history, but she is looking to improve.
It's a pretty big accomplishment for me
Kestler said. I've been putting in a lot of hard work and a lot of time all year. I would like to make it to finals and break the school record.
Stephan also qualified for her event, the javelin throw, at the MAC meet.
I've been struggling all year to hit the qualifying mark
and I'm proud I finally got it and can represent OU
Stephan said. I just want to continue throwing as well as I have been and would love to hit another personal record.
The top four athletes in each of the four regions automatically advance to the national meet. In addition, there are two at-large bids given.
Lugaila will kick things off for Ohio at 3 p.m. today with the shot put.
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Josh Johnson
