Women's Track & Field | February 06, 2020
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan track and field team heads to the Akron Invitational on Friday, getting a look at the site of the 2020 Indoor Mid-American Conference Championship.
WMU is one of 18 women's teams competing at the meet, including MAC foes UA, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Kent State and Toledo.
"I think it's super important to at least have one visit to the conference championship site," said head coach Makiba Batten. "It gets the kinks, nerves and sometimes anxiety that can run through their heads. I think it will help them all out, mentally, in the long run."
Friday's action begins at 4 p.m. with the pole vault, long jump and distance medley relay. The rest of the events begin on Saturday at 11 a.m. A free live stream will be available for both days at www.gozips.com/watch.
The meet is just one of two left before the Broncos head to the MAC Championships on Feb. 28-29. WMU's other chances to solidify spots on the MAC Performance Lists are the two GVSU BIG Meets on Feb. 14 and 15.
One of those looking to move up is sophomore Taylor Rucker. Rucker sits just outside the top 10 in the 60-meter hurdles, with her best time of 8.92 seconds coming at the Can Am International back on Jan. 25.
"Taylor is developing a lot better this year," said Batten. "Mentally she is getting sharper and she has benefited a lot from Coach (Bridgette) Owens' training philosophy and regiments. I'm looking forward to seeing her try to qualify for the final at the conference meet. This gives her an opportunity to get on that track and see what it's like."
Rucker is being pushed by junior Tauja Foreman, who broke the 9-second mark for the first time in her career in the event at the Can Am International after running a time of 8.99 seconds.
Both will compete in the 60-meter hurdle Gold Race on Saturday afternoon.
The Broncos are back in action when they head up to Allendale, Mich., for the GVSU Friday Big Meet on Feb. 14 and then the Saturday Big Meet on Feb. 15.
