Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Advance Three to 2005 NCAA Track Finals
3/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | MTF
March 8, 2005
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Central Michigan University men's track coach Jim Knapp was hoping for five but he's pleased that three members of his Mid-American Conference Championship team will compete this weekend in the 2005 NCAA Indoor Championships.
Senior Johnie Drake and junior Pierre Vinson will compete in the 60-meter while sophomore Clarence Glenn will run in the 60m hurdles at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.
"I'm extremely excited for these three, they earned it and we're all looking forward to this weekend," said Knapp. "But, I have mixed feelings because we were hoping that two more of our athletes would make it ... Jacob Friess and David Stallworth."
Knapp said that the top 14 in each event make it to the NCAA finals. Friess, a senior, was 17th in the country in the heptathlon and Stallworth 15th in the 35-pound weight throw.
"I feel sorry for both of them because they were such an integral part of our MAC championship team, " said Knapp. "But, when you finish 15th and 17th in the country, that's a pretty good accomplishment in itself."
Drake, an All-American in 2004 during the indoor season, is seeded No. 2 in the country with his 6.56 clocking.
Vinson, MAC champion in the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes, is seeded No. 9 while Glenn is seeded No. 10.
The prelims for Glenn will be Friday at 5:20 p.m., with the finals that evening at 8:20 p.m. The prelims in the 60-meter dash will be on Friday at 6:30 p.m., and the finals are set for 7:25 p.m.
"At this level and this short distance, anything can happen," said Knapp of his three qualifiers. "Anyone of them could win or anyone of them could not place."
CMU has had one national champion in track, and that was Bruno Pauletto in the indoor shot put in 1978.
