Central Michigan University Athletics
Track and Field Team Set to Host Chippewa Invitational
1/11/2012 12:00:00 AM | MTF
MOUNT PLEASANT - The men's and women's indoor track teams will compete in their first meet since early December, and their first this season as full teams, at the annual Chippewa Invitational on Friday, Jan. 13.
Following solid early-season performances turned in by the sprinters, vaulters and jumpers at the season-opening GVSU Laker Early Bird at Grand Valley on Dec. 2, 2011, the Chippewas return home to the Jack Skoog Indoor Track for the first of two home meets this season. The meet begins at 4 p.m.
Joining the Chippewas will be Detroit Mercy, Oakland and Macomb Community College.
The meet will serve as the season debut for the throwers and a majority of the long distance runners, neither of whom competed at Grand Valley.
Senior pole vaulter Josh Kettlewell, who vaulted a career-best 16-08.75 at Grand Valley, will look to improve upon his impressive start to the 2012 season. His mark still stands as the 12th best vault in the nation to this point in the season, according to TFRRS.com.
Freshman Lucas Bade won the 600m dash (1:21.29) in his first collegiate action, and currently holds the 10th best time in the nation. Fellow freshman Ravyn Baxter also won the 600m (1:37.03) in her collegiate debut and holds the 14th best time in the country. Both will look to continue their strong rookie campaigns at Friday's meet.
Senior David Ashcraft is also looking strong heading into the first action of 2012. His win in the 300m run (34.96) at Grand Valley stands as the 11th best time in the country. Though the 300m will not be run on Friday, he will look to transfer his momentum over to the 400m dash.
Fellow senior Stephanie Hurley is also looking to build upon her strong winning performance in the 300m dash (40.54) at Grand Valley, which is still good for 26th best in the nation. Like Ashcraft, she will also instead run the 400m dash. She will be joined by sophomore Shawntoreah Turk, who won the 400m dash (56.51) at Grand Valley and holds the 17th best time in the country.
In winning the 1600m relay at Grand Valley (3:16.93), CMU's team (Ashcraft, sophomore Clay Holman, sophomore Ross Parsons and senior Christopher Thomas) turned in the third best time in the country to this point. The women's 1600m relay team (Hurley, Turk, senior Christina Farrow and sophomore Megan Heffner) will also look to improve upon their fourth-ranked time from Grand Valley (3:53.55)
Both the men's and women's teams have enjoyed great success at the Chippewa Invitational since it was first held three years ago. The men have finished second of five both years, while the women have won the five-team meet both times.
In addition to looking forward to and building a foundation for the rest of this season, the track and field/cross country program will also take a look back and recognize the past by honoring the 2002 women's indoor track team, which won the MAC Championship. Track and field/cross country alumni and their families are invited to join in on festivities throughout the evening.