The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Solid All-Around in Roo Town Open
February 09 | Track & Field
The Roo Town Open was a success as the Zips performed very well
on their home turf, winning 10 events (six for the men and four for
the women) Friday night at the Stile Athletics Field House.
"I thought tonight went well," said UA head coach Dennis
Mitchell. "We fought through some injuries and illness tonight
and it was good to see Auston (Papay) reach a provisional mark in
the shot. Our schedule did not allow for an open week, as we
usually have at this point in the season, so we gave a lot of our
athletes the night off. That allowed some people the chance to step
up and I was pleased to see that some took the challenge well.
Namely, I like the way Michael (Uhle) is vaulting right now and
Carol (Eckerly) performed well despite facing the difficult task of
running the mile and 3,000 meters so close together.
"We will build on this performance and hopefully get some momentum
heading into next week's key meet at Indiana. Similar to our Akron
Open last weekend, this will be a great chance to post some good
performances on a national scale."
The top performer of the night for the Zips was throws specialist
Papay, who made an NCAA provisional mark with his toss of 59-03.50
(18.07). His season-best effort was over seven feet longer than his
nearest competitor.
Despite battling illness, senior Mark
Lattimore had another strong night on the track claming wins in
both the 60 (6.89) and 200 (21.48) dashes.
Going from the sprints to the longer distances, Akron's Craig
Rupe started the night by edging James Sjostrom (Unattached) by
just six-one-hundreths of second (4:16.38 to 4:16.44) to win the
mile. The women's mile was then taken home by Akron's Eckerly
(5:01.75) as the Zips claimed five of the top six places in that
race (Danielle Sidell was 3rd, Cassie
Schenck 4th, Olivia Jaworek 5th and Colleen
Moran 6th). Later, Eckerly used an even pace in the 3,000
meters top work her way from the back of the pack to finish second
with a time of 10:18.27.
Pole vaulting went very well for the Zips for both the men and
women, claiming victories for both events as well. On the women's
side, Carrie Kayes got the win with a personal best of
the year vault of 3.85m. (12-07.50). She was followed by teammates
Crystal Goldsmith Dunn and Jessica
Miller Hafner, both of who cleared the same height but needing
more attempts. Freshman Michael Uhle posted a personal best to win
his first event this year, clearing 16-06.75 (5.05).
Others to bring home top honors on the evening including Akron's Jazz
Banks in the 800 (2:19.59), Niesha Kelley —who was second
in the long jump -- won the triple jump 37-3.25 (11.36) and Zach
Harper tripped the line first in the 60m hurdles (8.32).
The Zips head to Bloomington, Ind., this Thursday afternoon to
compete in the Hoosier Hills Open on Friday (Feb. 15).
