May 12, 2007

Results

ATHENS, Ohio - Both the Ohio men and women finished in sixth place Saturday in Oxford to close out the 2007 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

On the final day of competition, the men's squad rallied for 27 points for a total of 44, while the Bobcat women notched 26 points for a total of 60. Eastern Michigan took home the team title on the men's side by edging out Kent State after winning the final event of the meet, the 4x400 meter relay, while Akron won their second straight title by a 19-point margin, becoming the first back-to-back women's outdoor champions since Ball State in 2000 and 2001.

The lone Bobcat to win a title was freshman Kari Summers (Troy, Ohio). Summers took first in the 5,000m with a time of 17:19.12, followed by junior Carime Reinhart (Bascom, Ohio), who finished second (17:24.42). Summers and Melissa Horner helped out the team's point total by placing in the 1,500m, finishing third and seventh, respectively.

The men received several strong individual performances and scored points in eight events as they participated in their final MAC Championship. Freshman Curtis Leuenberger (Louisville, Ohio) took fifth in both the 100m (10.84) and 200m (21.45), while fellow freshmen Chris Garrett (Bristow, Va.) and David Turner (Cleveland, Ohio) took seventh and eighth in the 100m and 400m hurdles, respectively. Senior Dan Bailey (Uniontown, Ohio) finished sixth in the 400m in 48.11, followed by junior John Willis (Troy, Ohio), who finished eighth in 49.00. Senior Craig Leon (Van Wert, Ohio) finished fifth in the 5,000m with a time of 14:52.12. Senior Eric Bildstein (North Olmsted, Ohio) took eighth in the discus with a throw of 50.06m.

The men's 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams finished fifth and sixth, earning the Bobcats seven points toward the team's total.

While this was the final meet of the season or career for many student-athletes, five Bobcats will continue on to the NCAA Mideast Regional meet which is scheduled for May 24-26 in Columbia, Mo.

MEN'S FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

1. Eastern Michigan (182)

2. Akron (181)

3. Kent State (178)

4. Central Michigan (95)

5. Buffalo (90)

6. Ohio (44)

7. Miami (43)

MEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR

Brad Fairchild - Eastern Michigan (First MAC Title Since 2002)

MEN'S VALUABLE PERFORMER

Corey Nowitzke - Eastern Michigan (First in 1,500m, First in Steeplechase, Second in 5,000m)

MEN'S OUTSTANDING TRACK PERFORMANCE

Jeff Powers - Central Michigan (First in 5,000m, First in 10,000m)

MEN'S OUTSTANDING FIELD PERFORMANCE

Andy Nicholas - Kent State (First in Hammer Throw, Scored in Shot Put)

WOMEN'S FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

1. Akron (154)

2. Western Michigan (135)

3. Central Michigan (83)

4. Ball State (80)

5. Buffalo (66.50)

6. Ohio (60)

T7. Miami (54)

T7. Bowling Green (54)

9. Toledo (47)

10. Kent State (40)

11. Northern Illinois (28.50)

12. Eastern Michigan (17)

WOMEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR

Dennis Mitchell - Akron (Back-to-Back MAC Titles)

WOMEN'S MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER

Amber Williams - Ball State (First in 100m, First in 100H, Second in 200m, Ran Leg on 4x100 Relay)

WOMEN'S MOST OUTSTANDING FIELD PERFORMANCE

Stevi Large - Akron (First in Discus, First In Hammer Throw, Scored in Shot Put)

WOMEN'S MOST OUTSTANDING TRACK PERFORMANCE

Becky Horn - Western Michigan (First in 800m, Second in 400m, Ran Legs on 4x100 and 4x400 Relay)