Central Michigan University Athletics
Men's Track Hosts Jack Skoog Open on Friday
2/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | MTF
MOUNT PLEASANT - In its final tune-up before the biggest meet of the indoor season, the Central Michigan University men’s track and field team will stay home for the annual Jack Skoog Open at the Skoog Track inside CMU’s Indoor Athletic Complex this Friday, Feb. 22. The meet, which will begin at 5 p.m., will be the final one for the Chippewas before next weekend’s Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships on February 29 and March 1 at Eastern Michigan.
“This week’s meet is a last chance for us to tighten up some things before the conference meet,” CMU head coach Jim Knapp said. “We’ll enter our athletes in different events to focus on the area that they need to improve, be it speed or endurance. Also, it’s the last time for our seniors to compete on their home track, so that always adds a little something extra.”
CMU spent last weekend getting familiar with the facility at EMU and focusing on continuing its progress to be peaking for the conference meet. The Chippewas competed at the Eastern Michigan Classic at EMU’s Bob Parks Track, the same facility that will host next week’s MAC Championships. The non-scored meet was full of great competition, with Michigan, Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Detroit and Oakland all sending athletes to Ypsilanti.
Three Chippewas posted runner-up finishes to lead the team at the meet. Pole vaulter Marcus Breidinger continued his strong season with a season-best clearance of 16-6 to tie with two others for the top spot in the competition. Senior sprinter Marcell Maxwell was the runner-up in the 60m, and senior Joe Mielke also took a second place in the high jump in just his second competition of the year.
“We’re a better team today than we were at the beginning of January, but we are still so young,” Knapp said. “I like that our young guys have been able to see throughout the course of the season the kind of effort and intensity needed to excel at the collegiate level. They continue to work hard and get better, which is a positive sign as a coach.”
Friday’s home meet is a good way to wrap up the schedule before the MAC Championships begin next Friday in Ypsilanti at EMU’s Bob Parks Track. CMU will welcome athletes from several schools in Michigan, including Adrian College, Alma College, Ferris State University, Northwood University, and Spring Arbor College. The meet will get underway at 5 p.m. with the throwing events, which are contested in the turf bay inside the IAC. Running events kick off at 6 p.m. on Skoog Track.
