Throwers lead women's track team at EMU
For the second time in three weeks, senior Allison Jakubowski took first place in the javelin throw with a mark of 41.02 meters, beating the competition by more than four meters.
Also taking first place in her event at Eastern Michigan University was sophomore thrower Norianna Brown, winning the shot put with a throw of 14.34m. It was her second win of the outdoor season.
"Allison has made some significant improvements each year she has competed for us," said head coach Karen Lutzke. "She has really focused this year and she is on a roll right now."
Brown has been a steady competitor for the Chippewas dating back to the beginning of the indoor season. She won her event in her very first meet of the season.
Lutzke said she and the team fully expected Brown to be where she is at this point in the season.
"Last year she was really good for us and she has been so consistent with her performance," Lutzke said. "She has also made improvements from last year and I feel that she is ready for a breakthrough."
On Friday night, some of the Chippewa distance runners set some new personal bests. Lutzke said the weather was perfect for distance runners.
Senior Elizabeth Carpenter took second place in the 5,000m run with a personal best time of 17 minutes and 46.70 seconds. Junior Sarah Squires took fourth place in the 1,500m with a new personal best time of 4:33.94.
"We are getting there and making improvements," Lutzke said. "We had great weather on Friday night and we had a real competitive feel to the meet."
Another notable finish for the Chippewas was junior Tanisha Johnson's third-place finish in the long jump. She set a new personal best with a jump of 19 feet and _ inches, beating her previous personal best by six inches.
"I thought this weekend was a good opportunity for us to compete in some good weather," said junior Erin Dillon. "I think we definitely made some improvements."
As a team, the progression has not come along as much as coach Lutzke hoped. Lutzke said her sprinters need to be a big part of the team's success.
"We need to have some more solid performances in every event and not just some of the events," Lutzke said. "We need to really come together as a team because we aren't progressing as much as we thought we would at this point."
Next weekend CMU travels to Eugene, Ore., to compete with athletes all across the country in the Oregon Relays.
There are only four meets left before the MAC Outdoor Championships which take place May 14-16 in Akron, Ohio.
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