Central Michigan University Athletics
Men's Track Competes At Central Collegiates
1/22/2001 12:00:00 AM | MTF
Jan. 22, 2001
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THE TEAM--The Central Michigan University men's track and field travels to Eastern Michigan for the Central Collegiate Championships on Saturday, Jan. 27.
THE COACHING STAFF--The CMU men's track and field program is headed up by head coach Jim Knapp, assistant coach Craig Fuller and graduate assistant Greg Halberg. Knapp, who is in his 16th season, led the Chippewas to a second-place finish at the 2000 indoor MAC meet and a third-place outdoor finish. Since 1986, he has coached 38 individual MAC champions and five All-Americans including Greg Richardson in 1999 and 2000. Fuller, who also serves as the Chippewas' head cross country coach, led Central to the MAC cross country championship in 1999. He has helped four CMU athletes to All-American status including Richie Brinker (1997-98) and Ryan Watson (1998). Halberg is in his second season with the Chippewas.
LAST WEEKEND--The Chippewas competed at the Red Simmons Invitational at Michigan last Saturday.
The Chippewas were led by four individual champions. Pat Walderzak (Frankenmuth/Jr.) took top honors in the weight throw (54-10), Dana Thomas (East Lansing/So.) won the long jump (22-7 1/4), Ronnie Zatkoff (Clinton Township/Jr.) won the high jump (6-9 3/4) and Ian Searcy (Canton/Jr.) won the 800m (1:54.09). Walderzak also took second in the shot put (54-9 1/2).
Other top performances were turned in by: Rob Miller (Stanton/Fr.) who took fourth in the 600m (1:23.10), Derold Sligh (Saginaw/Fr.) who finished fourth in the 400m (51.06), Clive Roberts (Toronto, Ontario/Jr.) who took fifth in the 60m hurdles (8.41) and the 60m (6.92), and Steve Wolf (Sterling Heights/Fr.) who took fourth in the high jump (6-8).
CHAMPS--The Chippewas had four champions at the Red Simmons Invitational. Junior Pat Walderzak won the weight throw (54-10), sophomore Dana Thomas the long jump (22-7 1/4), junior Ronnie Zatkoff the high jump (6-9 3/4) and junior Ian Searcy the 800m (1:54.09).
KNAPP ON THE CENTRAL COLLEGIATES--"We need to step it up this weekend. We need to be more competitive and aggressive. I expect to see a much better team performance."
KNAPP ON THE RED SIMMONS INVITE--"As a team, we seemed to be flat. We had some good individual performances but as a team we were not ready to go. It was a reality check for us - we need to be tougher mentally and physically."
UPCOMING--CMU travels to the Central Collegiate Championships at Eastern Michigan on Jan. 27 and to Notre Dame on Feb. 3.
