TOLEDO, OH - Energized by several top performances this winter, the University of Toledo track and field team prepares to make a run for its first title at the MAC Indoor Championships, hosted by Central Michigan this Friday and Saturday.

The Rockets, bolstered by solid efforts at the Great Dane Classic and The Big Meet, seem poised to challenge the MAC's best this season.

"Last year we were so young, with a lot of freshmen and a lot of girls redshirting," Kevin Hadsell, head coach, said. "We knew if the girls were patient, we could make a push this year. The maturity of the young runners has been critical for us. We've put ourselves in a position to contend."

The Rockets ability to score points in the jumps will help the team's chances of a top finish this season. On the MAC performance list, Michelle Sutherland sits third in the high jump and Julie Snyder is eighth. Alexandra Afloari is third in the triple jump and Jaime Gittens is ninth, while Kiah Douglas ranks ninth in the long jump.

The versatile Afloari also ranks ninth in the pentathlon and Snyder is tenth.

In the running events, Amanda Kaverman has been the top sprinter all season. She has the MAC's tenth-best mark in the 60, ranks fourth in the 200 and ninth in the 400. Meanwhile, Ari Fisher has continued to excel in the distance events. She ranks second in the 5000, third in the 3000, and 11th in the mile run.

Toledo figures to carry over it success from the cross country season in the distance events, particularly the 5000. Behind Fisher, Audra Brown sits fifth, Dagna Sztykiel sixth, Emma Kertesz seventh and Lindsay Toussant eighth as the Rockets look to pick up some crucial points in that event.

Additionally, Toledo has enjoyed success in the two relays, ranking sixth in both the distance medley relay and the 4x400 meter relay this season.

Akron is the defending MAC champion, with Kent State finishing second last year. A full schedule of events and live results will be available on Central Michigan's Web site, www.cmuchippewas.com.

Contact: Scott Miles
scott.miles@utoledo.edu