The Bobcats will have to compete against some schools that are close to home this weekend as they take on many of Ohio’s Division I and Division II women's track and field teams at the All-Ohio Championships in Oxford.
"This will be one of the better competition levels we face this year," distance coach Mitch Bentley said. "Whenever you attach the word ‘championship’ to a meet, the level of intensity always goes up. So, hopefully we'll have some people placing up there very well."
With their best performance since 2006 at this meet, Ohio finished fourth last year and just barely beat out Bowling Green, while Cincinnati, Dayton and Miami took first through third, respectively. This year, coach Clay Calkins said the team's goal is to rank in the top five two years in a row.
But there is a new team in the mix that is ranked fourth in the Division I Great Lakes Region, according to the latest U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings. Ohio State, which did not compete at the All-Ohio Championships last year, is joining the lineup this weekend.
"Our goal is to always try to be at the top of the field in the All-Ohio's," Calkins said. "The competition is going to be tough, but we'll give it the best shot we can."
With four team members making the 2012 Women’s Indoor Track and Field Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team and five more earning honorable mention, Calkins said he hopes that should boost confidence in the Bobcats’ training and performances.
Though the distance runners posted solid marks last weekend, the Bobcats are looking for improvements in other events.
UP NEXT
All-Ohio Championships
Miami University
Friday and Saturday
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