Women's Track & Field | April 12, 2018
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan track and field team takes the trek down to Auburn University this weekend, for the 2018 Tiger Track Classic at the Hutsell-Rosen Track complex.
In addition to the hosts AU, the Broncos will take on the likes of Arkansas State, Brown, Boston University, Indiana State, Samford, Southern Alabama, Troy, UAB and many others.
The Broncos have run into a lack of good weather during training, forcing the team inside to practice for the majority of the young outdoor season. The poor conditions have not led to poor results. Currently Western Michigan has athletes ranked in the top eight in the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Performance List in 11 events. Reigning MAC Track Athlete of the Week, Sarah Anderson, has already posted automatic qualifying marks for the MAC Championship in the 800 and the 1,500-meter runs. Anderson's time of 2:08.04 in the 800 sits atop of the performance list. She also ranks fourth in the 1,500 with a time of 4:25.41. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native is slated to run in the 800 on Saturday and as a part of the 4x400-meter relay team.
Sophomore Erin Dowd is the second-highest ranked Bronco in the conference, currently boasting the third-fastest time in the 400-meter hurdles at 1:00.46. Dowd will be sticking to her wheelhouse and running in the 400 hurdles on Saturday.
WMU's highest-ranking athlete in the field events is sophomore Erica Sheahan in the long jump. Sheahan is one of three Broncos in the top eight of the long jump and sits fourth on the MAC performance list with a distance of 19' 1.50" (5.83m). Behind her are Diamond Mitchell in seventh at 18' 10.75" (5.76m) and Gabrielle Collins in eighth at 18' 10.50" (5.75m). Sheahan will compete in the long jump on Friday with Collins, the 100-meter dash and the triple jump on Saturday along with Tierre Richardson. Collins also competes in the 100-meter hurdles and as a part of the 4x4 squad. Mitchell will also compete in the 100-meter dash.
Western Michigan heads to Ohio State University next weekend for the Jesse Owens Invitational.
