Women's track team heads to EMU evening meet
Allison Jakubowski and Erika Schroll will lead the women's track team in the EMU Twilight this weekend, looking to replicate their performances last weekend in the Sea Ray Relays.
The meet starts at 4 p.m. Friday and continues Saturday at Rynearson Stadium on the Olds/Marshall track in Ypsilanti. Five Michigan schools will compete.
"As a team we are trying to improve our jumps, throws, and times because our outdoor season is already halfway over," Schroll said.
Michigan, Michigan State, Adrian and host Eastern Michigan face off against the Chippewas. Mid-American Conference opponent Bowling Green also is in the meet.
CMU hosted a MAC tri-meet on April 4, where it beat EMU, scoring more points to take second place.
"I do not know if that necessarily gives us an advantage and we aren't really focusing on beating Eastern this weekend," said freshman distance runner Rachel Wittum. "We are focusing on the bigger picture and we are working to improve our times."
Thus far in the outdoor season, four CMU athletes have qualified for NCAA regionals and the team wants to continue the trend.
"We really want some more girls to qualify for regionals," Wittum said. "We also want everyone to stay healthy throughout the weekend."
The athletes that qualified include Schroll in high jump with a leap of 5-feet, 8.75 inches, senior Kelly McClure in the steeplechase with a time of 10 minutes and 48.92 seconds, sophomore thrower Norianna Brown with a toss of 47-1.5. Jakubowski qualified in the javelin throw last weekend with a distance of 57.93 meters.
Coach Karen Lutzke said this meet will give the Chippewas another chance to compete against MAC opponents - EMU and BGSU - and get ready for the MAC Championships on May 14-16.
"This weekend we are going to focus on the little things like running through the finish line," Schroll said. "Not giving up and having confidence will help make us a stronger team and also stronger individual athletes."
The non-scoring meet will begin with the hammer throw, shot put and distance events on Friday; the rest of the events will conclude on Saturday.
There are only three meets left for the Chippewas after this weekend before traveling to Akron, Ohio, to compete in the outdoor MAC Championships.
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