TicketsMarch 24, 2006
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FOR STARTERS:
The University of Cincinnati track and field teams will head to the Raliegh Relays this weekend at Paul Derr Track and Field Stadium. The prestigious two-day event will begin on Friday, March 24, and conclude Satruday, March 25, with over 80 institutions being represented.
BEARCAT BITES:
UC enters its first season of competition in the BIG EAST Conference in 2006. The conference features 16 men's and women's track & field teams, constituting the largest league in the nation. The 2006 BIG EAST Championships will be held on May 5-7 at the University of Connecticut's George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.
The UC indoor track and field team finished 14th at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships.
Seniors Kenny Wade (200 meters), Ashley Wilhelm (long jump, heptathlon), and Shintara Carpenter (triple jump), and juniors Renee Hein (javelin) and Tara Meier (pole vault) are current school record holders.
Head men's coach Bill Schnier is in his 26th season at Cincinnati in such a capacity. Head women's coach Jim Schnur is in his 22nd year at Cincinnati and his sixth as head coach.
LAST TIME OUT:
The Bearcats opened the 2006 season on March 18 at Gettler Stadium, hosting the Early Bird Relays. Both men's and women's squads won team championships. Junior Tara Meier broke the school's pole vault record, held by teammate Brittany Klima. Meier won the event, clearing 12' 0". One member each from the men's and women's teams met NCAA regional qualifying marks. Senior Chandler Groves and junior Renee Hein hit qualifying marks in the long jump (24' 1") and high jump (5' 8-3/4"), respectively, each winning that event. Senior Jenni Schmitmeyer swept the throwing events, winning the shot put (38' 8-3/4"), discus (138' 5") and hammer throw (135' 0").Other UC winners included senior Jocelyn Gibson, who captured both the 800 (2:17.23) and 1,500 meter (4:48.40) runs. Senior Erin Leeper grabbed the 200 meter dash title in 25.05, and anchored championship 4x100 (48.87) and 4x400 (4:02.64) relay teams. The Cincinnati men won 17 of 18 events, as Xavier's Luke Beuerlein sped to a win in the 5,000 meter run.
UC FINISHES 14TH AT BIG EAST INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The University of Cincinnati indoor track and field team finished 14th at the 2006 BIG EAST Championships which wrapped up on Feb. 19 at the University of Akron Athletics Fieldhouse. Notre Dame won the team title with 109.5 points, while Georgetown finished second with 86 points, just ahead of Pittsburgh's 85. On day two of competition, sophomore Brittany Klima was UC's top finisher, placing fifth in the pole vault with a clearance of 12' 3-1/2". Teammates Tara Meier and Ashley Wilhelm were right behind as Meier posted an 11' 9-3/4" vault to finish seventh. Wilhelm, who finished second in the pentathlon and fourth in the long jump on Feb. 18, was ninth with a personal-best 11' 9-3/4". Junior Renee Hein, who won the 2005 Conference USA high jump championship, finished sixth this season, clearing 5' 7". Senior Jocelyn Gibson, who set a school record in the 800 meter prelims, finished seventh in the finals with a 2:12.49. The Bearcats scored 25 team points, finishing ahead of South Florida (15.5) and DePaul (1), both newcomers to the BIG EAST this season.
BEARCATS TO HOST THREE MEETS IN 2006:
UC will play host to three track meets at Gettler Stadium during the 2006 season. On March 18, Cincinnati opened the outdoor season by holding the Early Bird Relays. The second annual Oliver Nikoloff Invitational will be held on April 1. The Southern Ohio Cup, which pits UC, Ohio University and Miami (Ohio) against one another in a tri-meet using both men's and women's scores combined, will take place at Gettler Stadium on April 22. Cincinnati will hold a UC Track and Field Reuinion weekend around the Southern Ohio Cup, which will feature a buffet dinner and fundraiser for UC track and field.
UP NEXT:
UC will return home to host the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational on April 1. Field events will begin at Gettler Stadium at 11 a.m.