Baldwin-Wallace Invitational

A set of lifetime best performances highlighted the Akron distance group's efforts at the Baldwin-Wallace Invitational. After handily winning the 1500m Bobbie Hardbarger showed off her speed by winning her section of the 400m in a personal best time (59.4). Also displaying speed at shorter distances were Todd Moyers, who won his section of the 800m in 1:55.8 (PR) after also running a PR in the 1500m (3:59.4), and Erin Frye in the 1500m (5;02.3). Jennie Castle ran farther than usual, but the result was a new PR for the 1500m (4:41.8). Malia Milec followed her steeplechase debut with a 10-second PR in the 5000m (20:08.4).

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Senior Day at the Ohio Tri-Meet Hosted by Akron

The University of Akron will host Kent State and Ohio University at the Ohio Tri-Meet this Saturday. Preceding the meet Akron will recognize its seniors. In the distance group the three seniors played an immense role in elevating the program from a perennial last-place finisher in the MAC women's cross country championship to a MAC championship in 1999.

Jaime Alton entered Akron as a walk-on, overshadowed by more heralded classmates. She improved from a 20:30 high school 5km cross country runner to an 18:10 collegiate runner. She placed 13th in the All Ohio cross country meet and in track her 11:11 steeplechase PR narrowly missed the NCAA provisional qualifying standard. As a senior she was selected by her teammates to be the cross country captain.

Bobbie Hardbarger was a state champion in high school and immediately continued to race like a champion, winning her first collegiate race. She is the All Ohio cross country champion, a three-time All MAC cross country team member and the school record holder outdoors in the 800m (2:10.42), 1500m (4;23.82), and the 3000m steeplechase (10:45.71).

Compartment syndrome forced a premature end to Michelle Rizzo's senior season. However, during her competitive years Michelle's performances placed her among the elite runners in the country. As a sophomore she was the MAC cross country champion and a Division I cross country All American. She is the school record holder indoors in the mile (4:57.70), 3000m (9:54.41), and 5000m (16:47.14). Outdoors she holds the 3000m (9:41.99) and 5000m (16:28.90) records.

Jaime Alton

Bobbie Hardbarger

Michelle Rizzo

Model of the Recreation Center and
Fieldhouse complex with a 300m indoor track.
 
 

Next Meet for Akron:

Ohio Tri-Meet
Akron, OH
May 4, 2002