Women's track Tennessee-bound
Erika Schroll matched her season-best high jump Wednesday in the midst of some of the nation's top track and field teams.
The junior jumper reached 5 feet, 8.75 inches for the second consecutive week to match her Mid-American Conference-leading mark in Knoxville, Tenn.
"Its great to see (Schroll) get off to a good start," said coach Karen Lutzke.
The women's track and field team will continue competing throughout the weekend at the Sea Ray Relays, which features some of the country's most prestigious track programs.
The meet started Wednesday and will go through Saturday at the Tom Black Track on the campus of the University of Tennessee. Junior Sarah Squires said temperatures in the mid-sixties make the trip worthwhile.
"The warmer weather is definitely a great motivator," she said. "It is not very often that we get the chance to run in those kinds of temperatures at this point in the outdoor season."
Schroll and junior Tanisha Johnson, the only two CMU athletes to compete Wednesday, both took part in the heptathlon. Johnson is competing through a groin strain.
Lutzke said she is hopeful Johnson is able to finish her events.
The University of Ohio, University of Toledo and Western Michigan also are representing the MAC at the Sea Ray Relays. It is a non-scoring meet with various events going on each day of the meet.
The rest of the team will begin competition today and continue through Saturday. Squires said the team's focus was high this week because of the competition it faces.
"We have really buckled down this week in practice," Squires said. "We are excited to have the opportunity to compete against some of the country's best athletes down in Tennessee."
The Sea Ray Relays is not the only out-of-state event that is scheduled for the Chippewas. CMU competes in the Oregon Relays in two weeks and also the Jesse Owens Classic in Columbus, Ohio, in four weeks.
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