Conveniently sandwiched between the outdoor season's in-state showcase and the Bobcats' first home meet of the year, coach Clay Calkins will enjoy a bit of a homecoming.
The Ohio track and field squad travels to Hillsdale, Mich., for the Hillsdale Relays that begin today and continue through Saturday. Traditionally an event with a high volume of competing teams, Hillsdale is more than a good warm-up for the Green and White Invite in Athens next week.
Calkins' team will be looking to continue its upward trend after finishing sixth at the All-Ohio Championships in Cincinnati.
Calkins received a master's degree from Ohio University in 1998 before beginning his coaching career. He was an assistant coach at Hillsdale College for three and a half years before returning to Athens in 2002.
The main reason for us going (to Hillsdale) is because it's really high-level competition
Calkins said. Last year there were almost 80 teams; it's a good chance for our kids to go up against some quality athletes.
It's always great to have such a high-caliber meet close to home.
This weekend's meet may be easy to look past with the Green and White Invite just around the corner but staying in routine
the Bobcats will be tuning up for some home cooking.
It's about getting better each week, and you have to peak at the right time. I want to peak at (the Mid-American Conference Championships), jumper Brittany Vinson said.
I take each meet as an individual meet, and pour all my effort into each week, Vinson added. When (the Green and White Invite) comes around, I'll put all my effort in then, too. You have to focus on one at a time.
Ohio's field athletes
admittedly not up to their usual standards last weekend in Cincinnati
could use a good showing in Hillsdale.
Thrower Emily Amendola said her group didn't necessarily perform poorly
just not up to the bar they've set for themselves so far this season.
The distance runners
on the other hand
were the highlight of the All-Ohio for Calkins.
As a whole, the team is still improving every week, Calkins said. We haven't done too much different in practice. We've had some good training, and we hope it pays dividends in the next couple weeks.
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24383,2008-04-25 00:00:00,Softball: Catcher's versatility aids Bobcats,",The Bobcats did not have the help of their usual catcher behind the plate in two big wins over Ohio Valley on Wednesday.
Instead
newcomer Paige Kemezis took the field in place of fellow freshman Jordan Paden behind the plate. Not only did she play catcher
but she also took the outfield in the seventh inning of the second game of the doubleheader. Kemezis has also come in as a pinch runner and batter on multiple occasions. She has 24 sub-ins this season
