MOREHEAD, Ky – Morehead State opens up the 2012 track and field season Saturday in Cincinnati at the Early Bird Relays.
The event is hosted by the University of Cincinnati at Gettler Stadium. The meet gets underway at 9 a.m. ET with the hammer throw and goes throughout the day. Fans can buy a ticket at the gate to watch the meet.
MSU will be competing against teams from Capital (Ohio), Cedarville (Ohio), Cincinnati, Dayton, IPFW, Mt. St. Joseph (Ohio), Northern Kentucky, Ohio Northern, Ohio Wesleyan, Robert Morris (Ill.), Thomas More (Ky.), Wright State and Xavier.
First-year Head Coach Brent Ericksen is anxious to see how the winter and early spring have prepared his teams for their competition season.
“We are excited and looking forward to opening up our season,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity to see exactly where we are right now.”
The Eagle men return three of their standout performers from last season in senior thrower JT Stone and senior distance athletes James Bowens and Mike Settles.
“JT will open up with all three throws (hammer, shot put, discus) this weekend and James and Mike will both be doing the 3,000-meter steeplechase,” Ericksen said.
While he would like to see the Eagles improve in all events, Ericksen noted the program’s primary focus will be on middle and long distance races with a few newcomers looking to make an impact.
“Newcomers to the men’s track team that will make a significant impact are (senior) Josh Seitz in the 1,500 and 3,000-meter steeplechase, and (junior) Zach Elliott in the 5,000 and 10,000-meter runs,” said the MSU coach. “We are also looking forward to seeing where we are at in the development process for a number of freshmen, including Desmond Bell in the 800-meter, Gary Monroe in the 1,500-meter, and Pierce Reeves in the 5,000-meter.”
The Eagle women have a solid mixture of veterans and newcomers who will look to improve this season heading into conference and regional meets.
“The women’s team will have a majority of the distance team open up with 5k’s this weekend, including most of this past fall’s cross country team,” said Ericksen. “(Junior) Anya Martinez, who has personal bests of 17:42 in the 5k and 37:08 in the 10k will look to take on the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the first time ever this weekend.”
Sophomore Natalie Norman, a middle distance specialist who finished sixth at the Ohio Valley Conference championships in the 800-meter race last year, will open up with that event this year.
Ericksen is also excited about the prospects of the Eagle women sprinters this year.
“The sprint team has been working hard under the direction of Assistant Coach Joe Rath and will be greatly aided by the addition of freshman Ashley Henry and senior Linda Dixon,” said Ericksen. “Henry’s best time could set the school record previously established in 1975.”
Henry recently completed her first year as a member of the MSU women’s basketball team, while Dixon completed a four-year career for the women’s basketball team. Dixon competed last spring for the track and field team as well.
Ericksen also pointed out that the Eagle women’s throwers have great potential.
“(Sophomore) Alyssa Arnold and (freshman) Nicole Thomas are two throwers we expect to see good things from this year. Alyssa will be throwing the shot and hammer and Nicole will be entered in the shot and discus.”
Results from the Early Bird Relays will be posted on MSUEagles.com.
