UA Women 2nd; Men 4th After Day 1 in MAC Champs

February 23 | Track & Field

AKRON, Ohio – Behind a record-setting performance by sophomore Stevi Large iwinning the 20-pound weight throw, the Akron women's track & field team stands in second, with the men's team coming in at fourth, after the first day of competition of the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships, held Friday at the UA Athletics Field House. The final day of competition begins Saturday at 10 am, with a ceremony honoring the "Legends of the MAC" starting at 12:30 pm.

Western Michigan currently stands in first place on the women's side with 36.50 points, followed by Akron (27), Buffalo (24), Ohio (20), Ball State (20), Kent State (17), Miami (16), Toledo (11), Bowling Green (10), Northern Illinois (8) and Central Michigan (5.5).

On the men's side, Kent State did well in the jumps and weight throw to score 59 points on day one, 19 points ahead of Eastern Michigan's 40. Central Michigan is in third with 33 points, followed by Akron (30), Ohio (19) and Buffalo (11).

For the Zips, Large set a MAC Championship record with a throw of 19.99 (65-7), which was nearly seven feet better than runner-up Sarah Vance of Buffalo (17.90/58-8.75). Ashley Morrow of Northern Illinois (17.75) edged Akron's Amy Lavalley for third (17.73). Also scoring for the Zips were Paula Ferry and Jen Osborn, who took fifth and sixth in the pentathlon.

In preliminary races, Corine Gavin-Hall had the best time in the 200 meters, winning her heat with a time of 23.93. She will be joined in the finals by teammate Latalia Jones who had a time of 24.79. Gavin-Hall additionally had the second-best qualifying time in the 60-meters (7.46).

Jessica Bright qualified for the finals with the second-best time in the 60-meter hurdles (8.57), while Akron will have three individuals in the 800 meter finals thanks to the times of Rachel Zubricky (2:14.60), Larisa Arcip (2:14.34) and Jazz Banks (2:15.63).

For the men, Randall Hafner (20.16/66-1.75) placed second in the weight throw with Ray Weisenbarger placing eighth. Weston Lott was third in the pole vault (4.85/15-11). The Zips took the third and fourth spots in the long jump. Cadeau Kelley was third with a leap of 7.48 (24-6.5) and Johnny Adams was fourth with a leap of 7.30 (23-11.5).

In preliminary races, James Howell had the best qualifying time in the 400 meters (48.44) with K.C. LaCross having the ninth-best time (49.67) to grab a spot in the finals. Akron's Marcus Davis also turned in a top qualifying time, winning his heat of the 800 meters with a time of 1:52.99, while teammate Daylon Wilton advanced to the finals with a time of 1:54.04.

The Zips will have three individuals in the 200 meters as Anthony Thomas had the best qualifying time (21:44) with Howard Harris and Stephon Fuqua advancing with times of 21.56 and 21.95. Thomas (6.86) and Harris (6.85) additionally qualified for the 60 meter finals.

A.J. Oyer qualified for the finals with the third-best time in the 60-meter hurdles (8.11) and Zach Harper had the eighth-best qualifying time (8.27).