4/21/2004 - Men's Track and Field
Navy To Participate In Penn Relays
Nate Michael is one several Mids competing at the Penn Relays this week. |
Annapolis, Md. - The Navy men's outdoor track and field team has the opportunity to compete against some of the top track and field teams in the country this weekend when it competes in the 110th Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia Friday and Saturday.
“The Penn Relays are the biggest relays in the country and are familiar to most people,” said Navy head coach Stephen Cooksey. “It gives the team a chance to compete with and against some of the top competitors in the country.
“There are also a lot of high school athletes who compete at the meet. If a college does well, you can make a good impression.”
The Mids will compete in several special events at the championships. They will compete in the military 4x100 and the Championship of America distance medley relay.
“The 4x100 military relay is a special relay that still gives us a chance to advance, but also gives us the opportunity to compete in a smaller group making us more visible,” said Cooksey. “In the distance medley relay, we will be competing against the top teams in the country in the Championship of America race. We've done well finishing in the top five or six the last couple of years.”
Cooksey also expects big things in the discus from Nate Michael (Sr., Pilot Point, Texas). Michael broke his school record in the discus with a toss of 54.55m (179'00”) at Army.
“Nate broke the school record and is really getting better in the discus,” said Cooksey. “I think Bobby Sparks (Sr., Yorba Linda, Calif.) could have a good meet in the pole vault if he stays healthy and some of our sprint relays could advance.
“I think the team is really on an upswing right now.”
