by Josh JohnsonStaff Writerjj348803@ohiou.edu
After sweeping the Ohio Invitational this past weekend, the Bobcat track and field teams head to Miami for a meet that serves as an early measuring stick for the season.
The meet will feature numerous teams, including Mid-American Conference rivals Ball State and Miami. Butler and Notre Dame are also included in the competitive field.
It's going to be a heck of a meet
it is each year coach Clay Calkins said. We hope we can do well at this meet we got a shot.
On the women's side, Jaclyn Lugaila will seek an NCAA qualifying throw in the hammer, after already qualifying in the shot put. However, the weather might ruin her chances.
Miami's throwing ring is a little sketchy when the weather is bad
so we'll see
Calkins said. If the weather's good she's got a great chance. The competition won't hold her back
that's for sure.
In addition to Lugaila, the distance events have been a highlight for Ohio's games. Carime Reinhart, Andrea Maas and Rachel Beakas rank among the conference leaders in their respective events. The trio scored a combined 30 points this past meet, and the presence of other MAC schools will provide extra motivation.
To see the competition for outdoor in the MAC is a great way to tell where we're at
Reinhart said.
Last weekend, the women's 4-by-400-meter relay team finished in a time of 3:56.20, which is currently fifth best in the conference.
I think they're putting it together
Calkins said. Now that we're outdoors the 400 training gets a lot better and it's showing through.
For the men, sprinter Jarrel Taylor is having a solid senior season for the Ohio men, Calkins said. Taylor chipped in 14 points this past weekend and also ran the third leg in the 4-by-100-meter relay.
John Willis and Dan Bailey have consistently led the team thus far. The pair own the first and second best times in the MAC in the 400-meter dash, respectively, and Bailey holds the fifth best time in the 200-meter dash. Part of the success is owed to the duo training together.
If either of us is having trouble
we motivate one another to keep going
Bailey said. We hope to bring everybody along with us
not just to motivate each other
