This weekend has a healthy dose of MAC teams for Ohio to see how it stacks up.
With the Mid-American Conference meet two weeks out, the Bobcats will get a healthy look at some MAC opponents this weekend in Louisville, Kentucky at Pre Nationals.
The women, coming off their new entry in to the regional rankings (15), will be able to compare times with Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan, and race side-by-side with Central Michigan, Buffalo and Miami.
Ohio could improve its regional ranking with Butler and Xavier, who are both ranked ahead of Ohio, also in the race this weekend. The men will be seeing Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Miami and will be able to compare times with Eastern Michigan and Buffalo.
The race takes place at the site of the National Championships, and it will be a good opportunity for Ohio’s National-hopefuls. One of those Bobcats is Ellen Isaac, who has led Ohio's women side throughout the season.
The men won the unseeded race two years ago, but won’t have top runner Michael McKean participating. The Bobcats will have less of an idea about how they stack up with MAC teams without McKean, but McKean is also their best shot of representation at Nationals.
As far as this weekend goes, coach Mitch Bentley said the rest of the men runners will have to step their performances up individually to replace the void left by McKean.
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="c72dfafa-6ac3-11e5-bb61-7fd5024ca69c"}}
The men will try to not get lost in the pack, although that could be difficult without McKean. Alex Wind, who has had a relatively strong year, has been at the front of many packs, but finished only 15th at All-Ohio’s.
The women will be taking a similar approach to the one they had at All-Ohio’s. Coach Tim Sykes said he wants Ohio to start fast because of the large field, as he doesn’t want the women to get stuck behind in the pack.
@JAjimbojr
jw331813@ohio.edu
