Covert, Targgart Lead CMU Men In Dual At Akron

AKRON, Ohio -- The Central Michigan track and field teams got a look at the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships venue on Friday as they competed in a dual meet with Akron at the Zips' Stile Athletics Field House.

The league championships are set for the facility on Feb. 28-29.

Akron won Friday's women's meet, 84-64, and the Zips captured the men's meet, 100-46.

Top CMU Finishers
The Chippewa men's and women's squads combined for eight first places on Friday, with freshman Reghan Draper claiming two wins.

Draper won the women's 60-meter dash in 7.89 seconds and captured the 200 in 26.33.

Other CMU firsts: Quiara Wheeler, women's weight throw, 63 feet, 4 ¼ inches; Emma Fountain, women's 800, 2:18.74; Ja'la Taylor, women's triple jump, 37-8; Erin Howard, women's shot put, 49-11 ¾; Logan Targgart, men's weight throw, 66-6 ½; Connor Covert, men's shot put, 50-6 ¼.

It was the Chippewas' first meet in some five weeks. They are scheduled to compete in two meets next weekend, with some squad members going to the Jet's Pizza Invitational at Saginaw Valley State, and others partaking in the Can Am Classic at Eastern Michigan.

"People definitely went out and competed," said Jenny Swieton, the Chippewas' director of track & field. "We have a little more clear view of what we need to work on, and where we need to improve.

"I was happy with the effort, for the most part, from everybody. It was big to get out there and compete again. For some people, it was kind of a shock to (not) run as fast or be as explosive. But at some point you have to get the Band-Aid off and get it going again. I'm sure we'll see big improvements the next time we compete."

Knocking off the Rust
While for many of the Chippewas, Friday was their first race since the Dec. 6 Grand Valley State Holiday Open; and for others, it was their first compeititon of the indoor season.

"We were definitely rusty," Swieton said. "I think there were definitely some reacclimating to the intensity involved in competing. From a mental perspective, they handled that really well and they understand this is just a step in the process. (This event) made them more motivated to go home and work hard and get better."

While the dual served as a good start, or re-start, for several Chippewas, it should serve them well when they return to Akron in six weeks for the MAC Championships.

"It's really important," Swieton said. "I think it was key for us to come to Akron and for them to get comfortable in the facility. I think it was good that (this meet) was done in a little bit of a low-key environment so there wasn't a lot of pressure where people were freaking out or anything. There were good nerves, but not any 'Oh no, what's going to happen' type of nerves."

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Connor Covert

Logan Targgart