Good weather, performances for Ohio women

by Steph Woody
Staff Writer

The women's track team split into two groups this weekend for a change of pace and a change of weather.

Several Ohio team members headed to the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C., while the rest of the team headed to Cincinnati for the Bearcat Invitational.

In Raleigh, the weather was sunny and warm. Hurdler Melody Royster said the cooperative weather helped lift Ohio's confidence level.

"It was a huge confidence booster to run in nice weather and get good times," Royster said.

The Raleigh Relays, dubbed one of the largest track meets on the East Coast, gave Ohio a welcome challenge. Royster said the meet served as preparation for the competition the Bobcats will face later on this year.

"There were a lot of good schools there, and we proved we could compete at that level with them," Royster said.

Michelle Borsz was Ohio's highest placer. She tied for third place in the high jump out of 43 competitors. Borsz cleared 5 feet 6 and 1/2 inches. Jacki Waller ran a personal best in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 17 minutes and 26.37 seconds.

Assistant coach Elizabeth Zimney said Ohio's 400-meter runners had a strong showing. C'Rai Weeden finished 28th, followed by Jen Martin in 29th. Teammate Kerra Brown finished 37th. There were 106 runners in the event.

Without some of its top scorers Ohio placed fifth in the Bearcat Invitational with 59 points. Cincinnati won the meet with 160 points.

Heather Moore led Ohio, placing first in the javelin with a throw of 125 feet 4 inches. Mary Williams placed fifth in the discus with a throw of 132 feet 10 inches.

Katie Fiala placed fourth in the 5,000 for Ohio, while Kamilah Carter placed seventh in the 100-meter dash. Leah Jones ran her best time of the year in the 400 hurdles with a time of 66.42.

Coach Elmore Banton was surprised with Ohio's performance at the Bearcat Invitational.

"I was surprised we beat three teams, considering we only had half of a team with our big pointmakers in Raleigh," Banton said. "We accomplished what we wanted to do this weekend."

The Bobcats compete at home this weekend in the McDonald's Invitational. The meet begins at 10 a.m. at Goldsberry Track around the AstroTurf Field.