Akron Track To Compete at OSU's Jesse Owens Classic

April 29 | Track & Field

AKRON - The University of Akron track and field programs will make the short trip to Columbus this weekend to compete in the 25th annual Jesse Owens Track Classic.

The event begins Friday (April 30) at 2 pm with men's hammer and women's pole vault. Competition will resume Saturday at 11 am with the long jump, high jump, shot put and discus. He Big Ten Network will be on hand and provided tape delayed coverage (broadcast May 8 at 5:30 pm ET). This year's top-notch field will include No. 12 Mississippi State, No. 17 Virginia Tech, No. 24 Penn State, No. 28 Indiana, No. 35 Kentucky as well as notable teams such as Michigan, Michigan State, N.C. State and Purdue.

The Zips had a successful trip to the 2009 Jesse Owens Track Classic as Cassie Schenck set a school record in the steeplechase and Jason Headman set a UA record in the 5,000 meters. A third record would have fallen last year on day one as Joe McCoy turned in a time of 9:06.6 in the steeplechase, but a miscue by the race officials in placing the barriers caused the record to be voided. Also last season, Larisa Arcip won the 1,500 meters. Earlier this season, Arcip won the 1,500 at the All-Ohio Championships.

This season, Akron sends 22 people to the Jesse Owens Classic who will look to keep their standing as one of the top 48 performers in their respective events, allowing them to advance to the first round of the NCAA Championships with three weeks remaining in the regular season.

Currently on pace to reach the 2010 NCAA first round includes: Collister Fahie (long jump), Phil Ferguson (100 and 200), Eric Hubbard (hammer), Keith Huebner (shot put), Bjorn Johansson (decathlon and pole vault), Daniel Kinsey (decathlon), Mike McCall (high jump), McCoy (steeplechase), Kenny Owens (pole vault), Tyshaun Peoples (long jump, 110 hurdles), Tyler Sweet (javelin), Mike Uhle (pole vault), Arcip (800 and 1500), Brittany Cheese (heptathlon), Felicia Close (heptathlon), Carrie Kayes (pole vault), Niesha Kelly (long jump), Allison Lawyer (shot put and discus), Katherine Lee (pole vault), Katie Nentwick (heptathlon), Valerie Wert (hammer and discus) and Lauren Whitehille (javelin).

After this weekend, the Zips return home to host the annual Campbell/Wright Invitational before heading to Buffalo for the 2010 MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.