Central Michigan University Athletics
MAC Championship Meet Draws Near
5/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | MTF
May 9, 2005
MOUNT PLEASANT-- This is the weekend the Central Michigan University men's track team has been waiting for. Everything it has done this season has been in preparation for the Mid-American Conference Championships. On Thursday, the Chippewas will begin their quest for their second MAC title in 2005. The Chippewas won the indoor title in late February, and are anxious to take their shot at the outdoor title. Ohio University hosts the MAC Championships, May 12-14.
"We're as ready to go as we've been all year. The weather and injuries have finally given us a chance to get everyone on the track," said head coach Jim Knapp.
After a strenuous indoor season that ended with the Chippewas earning their first-ever indoor title, the Chippewas have had an up and down outdoor season. Several of the team's top athletes have rested for a majority of the season, to make sure they would be ready for this weekend. While there are a few question marks leading into the meet, there are also some high expectations.
With classes and final exams out of the way, the Chippewas can now focus solely on the task at hand. Between bad weather, injuries, and class work, that could not have been said at any other time this season. They will head down to Ohio University, the site of this year's championship meet, looking to win it all.
The Chippewas have two defending outdoor MAC champions in Pierre Vinson and Steve Wezner. Last year in the outdoor championship, Vinson won both the 100m dash and 200m dash title. Vinson also took both titles in the 2005 indoor championship. Wezner took the 400m dash crown last season. CMU finished third overall as a team with 118 points.
"No disrespect to any other team, but I like our chances. It's all about the character in this group. I just don't think they will be denied," said Knapp.
"If everyone just has a solid day, it should be our championship. We've got depth, and we're very well balanced. We should score in every event. You don't see that very often at this level," he said. The Maroon and Gold head into the meet on a high note after last weekend's performance at the Len Paddock Invitational at the University of Michigan.
Dave Jones set a school record in the pole vault with a vault of 17-5, breaking the mark set by Curt Geerlings in 1979. The mark is currently the second-best posted in the MAC this outdoor season and it's a regional qualifier.
Other regional qualifying marks from last weekend include Vinson (100m dash, 10.48 seconds), Clarence Glenn (110m hurdles, 13.95 seconds), Nick Stout (110m hurdles 14.22 seconds), Mike Marsh (shot put, 58-00), John Pilling (discus, 173-02) and Mike Sidlauskas (discus, 166-04).
