Miami Ohio University Athletics
MAC Track and Field Championships: Day Three Recap
5/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
May 12, 2007
OXFORD, Ohio - The Eastern Michigan University men's team and the University of Akron women's squad finished atop the team standings after the final day of the 2007 Mid-American Conference Track and Field Championships. The Eagles (182 points) edged out Kent State (181 points) for the team title by winning the final event of the meet, the 4x400 meter relay, while the Zips (154 points) cruised to their second straight title by a 19-point margin, becoming the first back-to-back women's outdoor champions since Ball State in 2000 and 2001.
In a thrilling finish on the men's side, Eastern Michigan overcame a three-point deficit heading into final relay event with a first-place time of 3:09.15 in the 4x400 meter relay. With the top three relay teams separated by less than a second, Kent State helped Eastern Michigan win the team title by placing second in the 4x400 relay, narrowly defeating third-place Akron by a tenth of a second. Had Akron finished second in the final relay event, it would have won the men's title.
The women's side saw Akron repeat as outdoor champions, giving the Zips back-to-back titles for the first time in program history. The team victory also completed a season sweep of both the indoor and outdoor titles. Led by Most Outstanding Field Performer Stevi Large, Akron tallied 154 points, besting second-place Western Michigan, which garnered 135 points.
MEN'S FINAL TEAM STANDINGS 1. Eastern Michigan (182) 2. Akron (181) 3. Kent State (178) 4. Central Michigan (95) 5. Buffalo (90) 6. Ohio (44) 7. Miami (43)MEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR Brad Fairchild - Eastern Michigan (First MAC Title Since 2002) MEN'S VALUABLE PERFORMER Corey Nowitzke - Eastern Michigan (First in 1,500m, First in Steeplechase, Second in 5,000m) MEN'S OUTSTANDING TRACK PERFORMANCE Jeff Powers - Central Michigan (First in 5,000m, First in 10,000m) MEN'S OUTSTANDING FIELD PERFORMANCE Andy Nicholas - Kent State (First in Hammer Throw, Scored in Shot Put)
WOMEN'S FINAL TEAM STANDINGS 1. Akron (154) 2. Western Michigan (135) 3. Central Michigan (83) 4. Ball State (80) 5. Buffalo (66.50) 6. Ohio (60) T7. Miami (54) T7. Bowling Green (54) 9. Toledo (47) 10. Kent State (40) 11. Northern Illinois (28.50) 12. Eastern Michigan (17)
WOMEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR Dennis Mitchell - Akron (Back-to-Back MAC Titles) WOMEN'S MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER Amber Williams - Ball State (First in 100m, First in 100H, Second in 200m, Ran Leg on 4x100 Relay) WOMEN'S MOST OUTSTANDING FIELD PERFORMANCE Stevi Large - Akron (First in Discus, First In Hammer Throw, Scored in Shot Put) WOMEN'S MOST OUTSTANDING TRACK PERFORMANCE Becky Horn - Western Michigan (First in 800m, Second in 400m, Ran Legs on 4x100 and 4x400 Relay)
MEN'S RESULTS 100 METERS Marc Johnson, KSU (10.45) 200 METERS Howard Harris Jr., UA (21.09) 400 METERS Curtis Eaton, KSU (46.79) 800 METERS Abraham Mach, CMU (1:50.33) 1,500 METERS Corey Nowitzke, EMU (3:53.66) 5,000 METERS Jeff Powers, CMU (14:43.04) 110 HURDLES Reggie Rucker, UB (14.05); Track Record 400 HURDLES Reggie Rucker, UB (50.75); Track Record DISCUS John Harper, KSU (58.15m; 190-9) HIGH JUMP Ryan Jones, UA (2.10m; 6-10 3/4) TRIPLE JUMP Rayshon Higgins, UB (15.50m; 50-10 1/4) 4x100 RELAY Akron (40.26) 4x400 RELAY Eastern Michigan (3:09.15)
WOMEN'S RESULTS 100 METERS Amber Williams, BSU (11.54); MAC Championship Record 200 METERS Najah Floyd, CMU (23.66) 400 METERS Najah Floyd, CMU (52.29); MAC, MAC Championship and Track Record 800 METERS Becky Horn, WMU (2:09.83) 1,500 METERS Larisa Arcip, UA (4:29.63) 5,000 METERS Kari Summer, Ohio (17:19.12) 100 HURDLES Amber Williams, BSU (13.32); MAC Championship Record 400 HURDLES Danielle Brown, WMU (58.28); Track Record DISCUS Stevi Large, UA (49.73m; 163-2) HIGH JUMP Natalie Sako, UA (1.81m; 5-11 1/4) TRIPLE JUMP April Williams, UT (12.90m; 42-4) 4x100 RELAY Western Michigan (45.43) 4x400 RELAY Western Michigan (3:37.06); Track Record
