Track & Field: Final Tuneup Before MAC Championships

Friday, May 3

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Central Michigan University

Len Paddock Open

Photo by: Ole Miss Athletics

5/2/2019 7:30:00 PM | MTF, Track & Field

Chippewas head to Michigan for Len Paddock Open

By: Nick Vuylsteke, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan track & tield Team travel to Ann Arbor to compete in the Michigan Len Paddock Open on Friday, May 3 at the U-M Track and Field Stadium.

It is CMU's final meet before the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships at Ball State in Muncie, Ind.

WHERE THEY STAND
The CMU women's team is ranked No. 8 in the Great Lakes Region, the same spot they were ranked a week ago.

Program record holder Janelle Perry is No. 1 in the region and seventh nationally in the long jump at 21 feet, 2½ inches. Perry also ranks third regionally in the 100-meter hurdles at 13.34 seconds.

Also for the Chippewa women, Gabriella Beauvais ranks No. 2 in the region in the 400 at 53.63 seconds; Siobhan Szerencsits ranks No. 3 in the pole vault, 13-3¾; Megan McElroy is fourth in the javelin, 153-11; CMU's 4x400 realy team ranks No. 6 at 3:41.97; and Quiara Wheeler ranks No. 7 in the hammer throw with her program-record 206-9.

The Chippewa men's team ranks No. 14 in the Great Lakes Region, dropping from No. 13 from a week ago.

For the CMU men, Shane Moffo ranks No. 2 in the region in the 110 hurdles at 13.87 seconds; Logan Targgart ranks No. 3 in the hammer throw, 214-8; the 4x400 realy team ranks No. 5 at 3:12.58; Jack Dodge ranks No. 6 in the 400, 46.79; Jackson Blanchard ranks No. 6 in the 400 hurdles, 52.33; and Kevin Weiler ranks No. 6 in the shot put, 58-3¼.

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP PREPERATION
Friday's meet marks the final chance for the Chippewas to get a good workout in, compete, and post a time, distance or height to qualify for the MAC Championships.

"I think some athletes who are going to MACs will do off events to keep them in the competition frame of mind and some athletes (will get an opportunity) to qualify for MACs," CMU director of track & field Jenny Swieton said. "There will definitely be different features and different highlights (from pervious meets this year), but this is still an important part of our season.

"Anytime we get on the track, we try to compete at the highest level … they'll want to do the best they can at that event, but (may no compete in) their primary event. Other athletes will want to get a really good time and focus on one event where some athletes will compete in two or three events."