WMU News

Men's track team a close second at Central Collegiates

May 7, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- In a preview to what could be a very tight Mid-American Conference meet in two weeks, Eastern Michigan (202.5 points) edged WMU (201) by a point-and-a-half to capture the 75th Central Collegiate Conference Championships at the Kanley Track and Field Complex (May 6). The Eagles' victory marked the closest league meet since 1970, when Indiana defeated Bowling Green by a point for the CCC crown.

Central Michigan finished third with 194.5 points, followed by Michigan State (66), Detroit (65), DePaul (25) and Bradley (3).

"We put the heat on Eastern and anytime you can come within a point and a half of those guys, you've had a good meet," said WMU coach Jack Shaw. "Overall I thought we performed well and in two weeks (when the MAC meet is held) a lot can happen. Right now we're in the hunt."

Eastern took the points lead for good on the second to last event, collecting 15 points in the 5,000 meter run with first and fourth-place finishes. EMU's Bob Parks was named Coach of the Year for the 14th time as the Eagles recorded their 15th team title -- the most of any school.

DePaul junior Carey Ryan (Bolingbrook, IL) earned the John P. Nicholson Trophy as outstanding performer by setting a Kanley Track record of 213'-2" in the hammer, which is also an NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Central Michigan's Greg Richardson (Lansing, MI) set a provisional time in the 110 meter high hurdles with a first place effort of 13.90. Jalilu Mayo (Pontiac, MI) of Eastern recorded provisional times in the 110 hurdles finals (13.92) and preliminaries (13.98).

Mayo was the meet's top scoring individual with 21 points. Western Michigan's Jermaine Lewis (Waukegan, IL) was the third highest scorer with 18 points, taking home the 100 meters title (10.59) and running the third leg of WMU's victorious 4x400 meter relay team (3:17.35).

Other first-place finishes by the Broncos included Damian Sherck (Elkhart, IN) in the 1,500 (3:55.05); BeeJay Dothard (Lansing, MI) in the long jump (23'-2"); and Ndjeka Luhahi (Naperville, IL) in the triple jump (49'-1").

Western Michigan travels to the Billy Hayes Invitational in Bloomington, Ind., next Saturday (May 13) in a USATF Collegiate Series meet hosted by Indiana University.

Media contact: Daniel Jankowski, 616 387-4122; daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu


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