Ohio track prepares for stretch; Bobcats winding down

By Jonathan Kane
Staff Writer

It’s crunch time for the Ohio indoor track teams.

The Bobcats are closing in on the final stretch of the indoor season. The Ohio State Invitational is the final opportunity to get the kinks out and the last chance for Ohio athletes to qualify for the Mid-American Conference Championships Feb. 22-23.

Because the Invitational is an open meet and a non-scoring contest, Ohio coach Elmore Banton said the meet is a preparation tool.

“We would like to qualify as many people as we can,” Banton said. “We have some kids that have already qualified and are using Saturday as a tune-up for next week.”

He said some team members will run in different events than usual to work on speed and endurance.

The women’s team has been led by the nucleus of Melody Royster, Foli James, Randi Carter, Jill Meranda and Jen Martin. Royster did not run in the All-Ohio Championships last weekend because of an injury sustained during practice.

Banton said he is not sure if Royster will compete at the Ohio State Invitational.

“We don’t know the status of Melody yet, but she has been improving,” Banton said.

 Foli James is coming off an impressive performance in the 60-meter high hurdles last weekend. She tied the indoor school record of 8.70 seconds.  

For the men’s team, it’s a matter of getting athletes on the qualifying bubble to post better times, jumps and throws.

Ohio sprinter R.J. Redd, one of the men’s team few qualifiers (60m, 200m), said the Bobcats want to have a solid meet heading into MAC Championships.

“I think there’s a lot of emphasis placed on getting some MAC qualifiers so there may be some nervousness for some guys,” Redd said. “They know if they don’t qualify, this was their last chance. That alone will give them enough adrenaline and confidence to get it done.”

The meet begins 11 a.m. Saturday at the French Field House in Columbus.