TicketsApril 26, 2010
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CINCINNATI- Coming off their best finishes in a BIG EAST Conference meet last season, the University of Cincinnati men's and women's track & field teams look to top last year's performance in front of their home crowd, April 30 - May 2, when Cincinnati hosts the 2010 BIG EAST Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Gettler Stadium.
This weekend marks the second time since joining the BIG EAST during the 2005-06 school year that a conference championship will be held on UC's campus.
Both the men's and the women's teams had a pair of athletes qualify for the BIG EAST Championships in their final meet before the conference meet last weekend at the RedHawk Invitational. Michele McKenney and Bridget McNeill qualified for the 3,000 steeplechase and the hammer throw, respectively, to increase UC's women's team total of conference qualifiers to 23.
In his final attempt at the 400m, Chase VanCura easily surpassed the BIG EAST qualifying standard in the event to increase the men's conference qualifier number to 34 athletes. In addition to VanCura, Antione Drakeford ran in the 800m for just the second time in his career and qualified for that event, but he will not compete in that event in order to focus on the sprints.
Entering the weekend, 17 female athletes rank in the Top 15 nationally in 10 events, while nine male athletes ranks among the Top 15 in the country in eight events.
UC's Drakeford and sophomore Brian Zimmerman come into the conference meet owning the top marks in the conference in their respective events, the 400m and the javelin.
The women's 3,000m steeplechase looks to be one of the most competitive races in the meet as five athletes rank in the Top 15 nationally and they are separated by less than four seconds.
The Bearcats have three events on the men's side and one on the women's side where they have two or more athletes with top marks among conference competitors. UC boasts three of the Top 15 conference marks in the men's high jump (Brandon Fitch, Ryan Beltz and Mike Foley), two of the Top 7 conference marks in the men's shot put (Troy Cooper and Chris Littleton), two of the Top 8 BIG EAST marks in the men's discus (Troy Cooper and Chris Littleton), and two of the Top 6 BIG EAST marks in the women's pole vault (Michelle Eby and Kayla Dunn).
Admission to the BIG EAST Championship is free on Friday, April 30 for all spectators for the multi-events. On Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, admission each day will be $4 for adults, $2 for children (18 and under), and seniors. Students that currently attend one of the 16 BIG EAST Conference institutions will be admitted free with a valid Student ID. Parking is $5 in Calhoun Garage, which surrounds the track.
Gates will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 2.
For further information on the BIG EAST Outdoor Track & Field Championships, heat sheets and live results can be accessed through the BIG EAST's Championship Central site on www.bigeast.org.