The Bobcats will visit the state capital this weekend when they take part in the OSU Tune-Up Friday at the French Field House. The meet will be the final regular-season indoor competition before the Mid-American Conference Championships.
Only eight days away from their most important meet of the season, the Bobcats are looking to key on certain events in Columbus. Distance runners are tapering down to work on speed or taking the weekend off to rest. Recent MAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week honoree Juli Accurso will decide on race day if she will compete. Other athletes, particularly those competing in the throws, jumps, hurdles and sprints, are reaching for better marks.
“We’re working on picking up the speed and having events be more explosive,” throws coach Nick Pero said. “The athletes are getting more pressure, and some need to give big performances at this meet.”
Teams across the country have different methods for preparing for their conference tournaments. Some have indoor training facilities and might touch up at home while others travel to tune-up meets for their final preparations.
“A lot of teams that have indoor facilities stay home prior to MACs so the athletes don’t have to travel two weeks in a row,” head coach Clay Calkins said. “We don’t have that luxury. We don’t have an indoor facility to stay home.”
The Bobcats started their indoor track and field season at Ohio State for the Buckeye Classic and will conclude their regular season on the same track.
Calkins said that every team wants to make improvements this weekend, but no other team in the conference will be competing in the OSU Tune-Up this weekend. That means next weekend’s conference championships will be the first time Ohio has competed against MAC teams in two weeks.
“Athletes are excited to compete at Ohio State this weekend,” Calkins said. “The indoor season is winding down, but we’re in our very competitive part of the season.”
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