The Ohio track and field team finished third at the Southern Cup, despite another strong performance from thrower Jaclyn Lugaila.
Lugaila scored 14 of the women's 107 points by winning both the shot put and the hammer throw. She owns the second-best shot put throw and the sixth best hammer throw in the Mid-American Conference this season.
I'm focusing more in practice so when I get to the meet I'm ready for the competition
Lugaila said. Definitely competing against MAC schools gives you a little insight into what they'll be like in the final meet. Being able to beat them now is a definite confidence booster.
The Bobcats finished the tri-meet behind conference rival Miami and Conference USA foe Cincinnati. The host Bearcats captured the Southern Cup for the third straight year. The meet was scored using a combined system in which the men's and women's team scores were added together to determine the winner.
In addition to Lugaila, the Ohio women won three other events. Chelsea Stephan won the javelin and Chanelle Harmon captured the 100-meter dash. Rachel Beakas finished first in the 1,500-meter run. Jessica Kestler added a second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles.
On the men's side, Ohio has been dealing with numerous injuries to some of the team's top athletes.
We are still missing Scott Mayle Dustin Holm and John Willis isn't completely healed up yet coach Clay Calkins said. Injuries definitely played a part in our total team score. I think we could have done a lot better if we had everyone.
Austin Schiele earned the lone first place for the Bobcat men by winning the 5,000-meter race with a time of 14:59.13.
Getting under 14:40 is my main goal right now
Schiele said. I still haven't ran nearly fast enough yet to consider myself being competitive for the top spot at MAC right now. Maybe one more race if I can get under 14:40
that would really give me the confidence I need to know that I can go up there and run.
In addition to Schiele, Dan Bailey took third in both the 200 and 400-meter dashes. Chip Cox added a third-place finish in the 100-meter dash and Jason Linton took second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
The Bobcats head to Michigan on Thursday for the three-day Hillsdale Relays.
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