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May 15, 2002
 

Campbell/Wright Open

The University of Akron track & field team closed out its regular season with an unscored home meet, the Campbell/Wright Open. The meet is named for former Akron track coach Al Campbell and for retiring sprint coach P.J. Wright. Coach Wright elevated Akron sprinting to the highest level. Under his guidance LeShaunte Edwards was an NCAA Division I All American and competed in the 2000 Olympic Trials. Edwards teamed with Chad Bullett, himself an All American, to lead the Zips to three consecutive Mid-American Conference 4x 100m championships. Wright also coached Akron's first MAC champion, hurdler Barron Pringle. Although he began coaching at Akron in 1993, Wright's association with the university dates back to his undergraduate days. Wright was a 1990 graduate of the university.

Coming at the conclusion of exam week, and prior to the upcoming Mid-American Conference championships, only a handful of the middle distance/distance group competed this weekend. Leading the way, as has become the norm, was Bobbie Hardbarger. After winning the Len Paddock Invitational 1500m at the University of Michigan on Friday, in a school record time of 4:23.16, Bobbie ran a Lee Jackson Field record in the 1500m on Saturday of 4:24.15. Bobbie now owns the top 10 performances in Akron history. Despite battling illness Jennie Castle ran 2:13.43 to place second in the 800m. Jaime Alton ran 10:38.11 in the 3000m.

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MAC Championships Up Next

This week Akron travels to Ypsilanti, MI for the Mid-American Conference championships. Bobbie Hardbarger enters the meet as the top-ranked 1500m runner. She is number 2 in the 800m, followed closely by Jennie Castle. Erin Frye looks to improve on last year's 5th-place finish in the 10,000m. Todd Moyers will compete in the 1500m and the 5000m. Jamie Alton is shooting for a PR in the 5000m as is Malia Milec in the 3000m steeplechase.

2002 Signees
Katrina Jones - Distance
Martins Ferry HS
Ashley Kaufmann - Throws
Freedom HS (PA)
Lisa McCaulley - Distance
Carrollton HS
Becki Michael - Distance
Marlington HS
Brandi Schoeppner - Distance
Minerva HS
Jenna Strouse - Throws
Mt. Vernon HS
Morgan Sulzener - Distance
Mt. Vernon HS
James Baisden - Sprints
Watkins Memorial HS
David Howard - Distance
Northwest HS
Mike Meditz - Pole Vault
Brunswick HS
Tim Myers - Distance
Liberty Center HS
Chris Perun - Distance
Barnesville HS
David Pykare - Distance
Maplewood HS
Lee J. Rosenberger - Throws
Ottawa-Glandorf HS
Matt Yankie - Jumps
Perry HS

 

Retiring Sprint Coach P.J. Wright

 

Bobbie Hardbarger by the Jesse Owens Memorial at the University of Michigan's Ferry Field, site of Owen's four world record day.

 

Erin Frye will compete in the 10km Thursday.
fieldhouse-model

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


 

Next Meet for Akron:

MAC Championships
Ypsilanti, MA
May 16-18, 2002