By Steve Holt, Sports Writer
Most of the men’s and women’s track and field athletes will rest and train this weekend, a week before the Lone Star Conference Championships, while three athletes compete at the University of Texas-Arlington Open.
Sophomore Delt Cockrell, who has been unable to qualify for nationals in the 200-meter dash because of un-lucky wind readings in previous competitions, will compete in the event against strong Division I competition. Freshman Brooklyn Hunt also will compete in the women’s 200-meter dash after a malfunctioning clock failed to register her time at the Mean Green Invitational last Thursday. Sophomore Ricardo Johnson will attempt to run a provisional or automatic qualifying time in the 400-meter dash and join teammate Marvin Essor in that category.
Head coach Jon Murray said he hopes to get several more new qualifiers and improved times before nationals, but the teams are doing well at this point in the season.
“We’re doing all right,” Murray said. “We’re in a good position there; we just have to keep after it.”
The conference meet, which will be in Kingsville May 7-8, will pit ACU against league rivals Texas A&M-Kingsville, Angelo State, Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Commerce, among other schools. The men’s and women’s teams are expected to win their 19th and 21st conference titles, respectively, behind evenly spread talent in the running and field events.
The positions in which teams will place aren’t as much a question in looking at the conference meet, but whether athletes will be able to post qualifying marks before nationals does hinge on one main factor.
“It’s mainly weather-you have to look and see if the weather’s going to be cooperative there,” Murray said.
On May 13, ACU will play host to the ACU Open at Elmer Gray Stadium, the last chance for athletes to qualify for nationals. Two weeks later, May 27-29, Wildcat athletes who have qualified will travel to Walnut, Calif., for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships.
