Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Looking to Solidify Lineup at Michigan Intercollegiates
10/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
MOUNT PLEASANT Central Michigan University assistant cross country coach Matt Kaczor is looking at Friday’s Michigan Intercollegiate Championships as a chance to determine the Chippewa lineup for the upcoming Mid-American Conference Championships.
CMU is sending six runners to the scored 8K at the Kensington Metropark in Milford, Mich. The women’s race begins at 4 p.m. with the men’s race set for 4:45 p.m.
The Chippewa contingent includes Sean Anthony, Cory Arnold, Scott Barnes, Wade Buchs, Travis Gere and Adam Richmond.
“We are looking at our No. 6 through No. 9 spots and seeing who fits in where,” Kaczor said. “We need to find out who will help us out at the MAC meet. The Michigan Intercollegiates will give a lot of our younger guys some race experience as we look to establish some depth and continue to close the gaps.”
CMU is also looking to rest some of its top runners as the Chippewas are in the middle of a stretch of three meets in three weeks. Following the stretch, Central takes a week off from competition before traveling to Eastern Michigan for the MAC Championships on Nov. 1.
Friday’s meet includes collegiate teams from across the state at all different levels, from Division I to community colleges. Detroit, Eastern Michigan and Oakland are the other Division I schools scheduled to race.
“This is a really great course that a lot of high school meets are held on,” Kaczor said. “It is a lot like the course we were on at Purdue. It is not fast and flat. There are rolling hills that will challenge the runners.”
Following Friday’s meet, the Chippewas will have their last tune-up before the MAC Championships when they head to Terre Haute, Ind., to run at the Pre-Nationals meet at the site of the NCAA Championships.
CMU is currently ranked 13th in the Great Lakes Region according to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings. Wisconsin is the region’s top ranked-team. This is the second week for the rankings which will continue until Nov. 10.
