Zip women celebrate Championship_
After the 1997 MAC outdoor Track & Field championships The University of Akron women sat in last place with just 17 points. What a difference two years of hard work can make!!! 1999 saw the Zips claim the University of Akron’s first outright MAC team championship with a point total of 121 points. The championship was a result of a total team effort as 15 athletes scored in 12 different events. All-American Christi Smith was the catalyst for the zips as she garnered team MVP honors for defending her heptathlon title and placing 4th in three other events. Freshman Mary Varga also had an outstanding meet, she placed 2nd in her specialty the high jump, 3rd in the javelin and a remarkable third in the heptathlon. Jasmine Reynolds sprinted to school records in the 100m and 200m placing 2nd and 3rd respectivly. Reynolds teamed with Deanna Norflee, LaTrese Taylor and Terra Jones to shatter the school record and claim the MAC title in the 400m relay. Jones also placed 6th in the 100m hurdles. Jeannine Thomas claimed victory and a MAC record in the pole vault. Two more Zips followed close behind with Keelie Harvey placing 2nd and Karen Beasley taking 4th. Tissy Westbrook claimed 3rd place in the long jump. Jessie Sheeran placed 4th in the shot put followed by teammate Renata Smith’s 8th place finish. Lisa Clark placed 6th in the 400m, Jennifer Moore was 7th in the 800m and Bobbie Hardbarger was 8th in the 1500m.