Dates – May 1-3, 2013
Site - Dwight Schar Athletic Complex, Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio
Start Times – On Wednesday, Day 1 of the decathlon and heptathlon will be held. The men start at 1:30 p.m. and the women begin at 2 p.m. On Thursday (May 2), the decathlon and heptathlon start at 9 a.m. The field events and running events begin at 2:30 p.m. On Friday (May 3), the field events begin at 10:45 a.m., and the running events start at 12:10 p.m.
Ticket Prices – Adult all-session passes cost $25. Student/Senior Citizen all-session passes cost $10. Adult tickets are $12 per day and student/Senior Citizen tickets are $5 per day.
Overview
This marks the first time the GLIAC outdoor track and field championships will be held on campus at Ashland University. On the men's side, the host Eagles, Grand Valley State and Findlay figure to wage a tense battle for the conference crown. GVSU is the defending champion on the women's side and is a heavy favorite to retain that crown.
A year ago, the Grand Valley State men had 213.5 points and the Eagles were second with 161.0 points. Findlay (117.) was third and Tiffin (99.0) was fourth. For the women, Grand Valley State ran away from the field with 239.0 points. Ashland (124.5) was the runner-up, Tiffin (74.0) was third and Northern Michigan (69.5) was fourth.
As of last week, the AU men were ranked fourth in the country. Findlay was ranked fifth, Grand Valley State was eighth and Tiffin was 25th. In the women's national rankings, Grand Valley State was fourth, Ashland was 11th and Tiffin was 20th.
The GLIAC is ranked as the nation's best track and field conference for men. In women's track and field, the GLIAC is ranked second in the country, trailing only the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAA).
Buildups and Breakdowns
Here's a preview of the GLIAC meet with comments by AU coaches on what to expect this week.
Distance
AU assistant coach Trent Mack, who doubles as AU's cross country coach, has put together a deep and talented stable of runners. The best example of that can be found in the 800. Sophomore Drew Windle (New Albany, Ohio) is ranked first in the country (1:48.48). Senior Tom Scott (Lima, Ohio/Shawnee) is listed second (Lima, Ohio/Shawnee) and sophomore Brian Baum (Marlington, Ohio) is ranked fifth (1:49.84). All three have automatic qualifications for nationals.
"In the 800 we hope we can do pretty well," Mack said. "Obviously, with Drew and Tom, they're not only first and second in the nation, but first and second in the conference."
Baum, this week's GLIAC men's track athlete of the week, has the seventh fastest time in the country in the 1500 (3:47.66). Grand Valley State's Larry Julson's best time is 3:47.23. This race could come down to those two sprinting to the wire.
"That's a PR for both of them," said Mack.
In the 10K, Mack is hopeful that senior Colton Johnson (Mt. Gilead, Ohio) can ride the wave of enthusiasm that comes from running at home and push for a conference title. Entering the race, he's projected to finish fourth or fifth. Johnson was an All-America in cross country.
"Anything can happen in that long a race," reminded Mack. "He could be in the hunt."
The AU women face some stern challenges in the distance events. Not only does Grand Valley State have one of the best programs in the country, but Ferris State, Saginaw Valley State, Hillsdale and Wayne State have been factors on the national level.
"Grand Valley is deep all over," said Mack. "Ferris State has a strong distance program and Wayne State has been nationally ranked in cross country. Saginaw Valley, the last two years, they've put themselves in the national picture. Then there's Hillsdale, same thing.
"For our women, this will be a great experience," continued Mack. "It will be an eye-opening experience – in a good way."
Keep an eye on freshman Kylee Bernthisel (Grand Rapids, Ohio/Otsego) in the steeplechase. Grand Valley State's Hannah Osborn is ranked fifth in the country (10:36.76) and is the defending conference champion, but Bernthisel has shown steady improvement throughout the year.
"She's been consistent," remarked Mack.
Mack is hoping that freshman Mikaela Bush (Edison, Ohio/Mt. Gilead) can score points in the 800 and believes that sophomore Anna Mion (Medina, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) can deliver points in the 1500.
"I think Anna has set a PR four consecutive weeks," noted Mack.
Sprints
Senior Joe Horn (Waynsefield, Ohio/Waynesfield-Goshen) will run in the 100 and 200. He's ranked eighth in the nation in the 200 (21.04) and 16th in the 100 (10.46). Junior Keith Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio/Shaker Heights) is sixth in the country in the 400 (46.81) and ninth in the 200 (21.10). Horn and Cleveland can also be found running relays. In sum, the Eagles have a chance to collect a lot of points in this area.
"In the 100, we could have two of the top five," said assistant coach Dave Smalley. "In the 200, we could have three of the top five or six. It's the same thing for the 400."
Ashland's 4X4 relay has the third best time in the country (3:08.01). Can the Findlay Oilers push the AU quartet? Findlay is listed sixth in the nation (3:10.20). AU's 4X1 relay has the 10th best clocking (40.61) in the country.
The depth in this area is unbelievable. Senior Cory Lamar (Wakeman, Ohio/Firelands) and junior Jacob Cook (Lima, Ohio/Allen East) are two speedsters who thrive in the relays. They will also run the 400. Windle also appears in the 4X4.
In the 400 hurdles, sophomore Elijha Owens (Shaker Heights, Ohio) is fifth in the nation (51.77) and sophomore Waquiem Comar (Twinsburg, Ohio) is 13th (52.45). Lake Erie's Ethan Snyder is ranked seventh in the nation (52.00).
Owens is 15th nationally in the 110 hurdles (14.26).
The AU women have gained the admiration of Smalley. He's hoping that they can have their best performance of the year this week.
"They've worked very hard and last week we had PR's all over the place," said Smalley. "I can't say enough about Mariah Lindsey and the way she's emerged as a leader. This is her last go-round. I couldn't ask for anything else from this group. They've worked as hard as any group I've coached."
Junior Macy Caldwell (Port Clinton, Ohio) has a chance to bring in major points in the 100 hurdles. She enters the week ranked 17th in the country.
"I don't work with her that much because she's in the multi's," said Smalley, "but I'd say she's one of the top 15 hurdlers in the country. She's got a great shot there and in the heptathlon."
Jumps/Decathlon/Heptathlon
In the heptathlon, the Eagles could secure plenty of points thanks to Caldwell, senior Kendra Bassitt (Lima, Ohio/Bluffton) and sophomore Jennifer Bjelac (Newton Falls, Ohio). Caldwell is 14th in the country in the event with 4721 points and Bassitt is 19th (4627).
"We have three ladies that hopefully can compete for the top three spots," said assistant coach Dana Freeman.
It's not easy to complete a clean sweep in any event and that will be the case here. One athlete who could dash those plans is Findlay's Pam Showman, who has had a good season.
Bjelac will also compete in the long jump. She posted a lifetime best of 18-9 last weekend at the Ashland Alumni Open. She finished first in the event. She's 18th in the nation.
"That put her on the NCAA provisional list for the first time in her life," said Freeman.
In the women's high jump, sophomore Jennifer Foster (Lodi, Ohio/Cloverleaf) is the favorite to win the conference title. She has the fifth best mark (5-8.75) in the nation and is the defending conference champ.
Sophomore Shaunisha Winter (Heath, Ohio) is the favorite to claim a conference championship in the triple jump. She's 13th in the country (40-2.25).
The women's pole vault could develop into an interesting three-way battle. AU senior Katie Nageotte (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) was the national champion indoors and is second in the country (13-10) entering the GLIAC meet. The top mark in the nation belongs to Hillsdale's Kayla Caldwell (14-2). Kristen Hixson of Grand Valley State has the third best mark in the country (13-9.75). Nageotte has an automatic qualification for nationals. At last year's GLIAC meet, Hixson won the championship and Nageotte was seventh.
In the men's decathlon, Lake Superior State's Justin Balczak is the national leader with 7282 points.
Throws
Fans who come out to watch the throwing events will see some of the best throwers in the country.
In the men's shot put, Findlay's Derrick Vickers has the best throw in the nation (63-9.5). His teammate, Taylor Miller, is second (59-11.75) and Tiffin's Macklin Tudor is third (59-1.5). The Eagles will combat that trio with junior Donald Duke (Clarington, Ohio/Hannibal River) and freshman Dustin Porter (Lucas, Ohio). Duke is listed eighth in the nation (56-8.75) and Porter is 15th (55-7.5).
"Both are on the NCAA list," reminded AU head coach Jud Logan. "Both are in the top eight in the conference. We need them to step up and defend their home turf. That's a common theme for anyone who hosts. I think Dustin will have a big conference meet. I think he's ready to blow the top off it."
Duke has been battling some shoulder miseries recently, but should be ready to go this week.
In the men's discus, the Eagles will rely on the trio of juniors Chris Powell (Oak Forest, Ill.) and Kyle Steinhauser (Sandusky, Ohio/Perkins) and sophomore James Clay Harris (Newark, Ohio/Newark Catholic). Steinhauser is 19th in the nation (168-7) and Powell is 20th (168-7).
Tiffin's Tudor has the country's best mark (188-4) and Vicars is third (183-6).
The favorite in the men's hammer is AU senior Garrett Grey (Grahamsville, N.Y./Tri-Valley). Last week at the Ashland Alumni Open, he was fourth in the men's elite hammer. His effort of 221-9 leads the country. Grey, this week's GLIAC men's field athlete of the week, has an automatic berth at nationals.
"He just has to put in another day's work, do what he's done all year," stated Logan.
Sophomore Zac Ball (Amherst, Ohio/Firelands) is seventh in the country (195-1). He's set a PR in three consecutive weeks. This event also lists Grand Valley State's Darien Thornton, who is third in the country (210-5) and Vicars, who is fourth (202-5).
Logan and the Eagles are counting on junior Elliott Kreim (Shelby, Ohio/Buckeye Central) to come up big in the javelin.
"When we get to this point, we count on pennies, those seventh and eighth place finishes," explained Logan. "If we are going to make a run at Grand Valley we need those pennies."
In the women's discus, AU will turn to sophomore Kim Habegger (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale) and freshman Jamie Sindelar (Athens, Ohio/Hudson). Grand Valley State's Sam Lockhart, who is the favorite to be the national women's field athlete of the year, has the best mark in the country (192-9).
Lockhart is also the national leader in the shot put (52-2.50). She won the national title indoors this year. AU sophomore Jessica Bridenthal (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) was second indoors at nationals. She's 17th in the country (46-5.5) this week. Sindelar is ninth (48-2) in the country.
In the women's hammer throw, AU has four throwers who have provisional qualifications to nationals. That quartet consists of Habegger, Bridenthal, freshman Cynthia Watt (Heath, Ohio) and sophomore Abigail Burgdorf (Oberlin, Ohio/Amherst Steele). Habegger is fifth in the country (190-4), Bridenthal is seventh (183-8), Watt is 12th (178-1) and Burgdorf is 29th (166-6).
The competition here is fierce. Findlay's Jessica Rowland is second in the country (204-2), Lockhart is fourth (195-3) and Jessica Piling of Ferris State is sixth (187-8). All have automatic qualifications for nationals.
AU
TRCK/ALK
