Sports
Ohio Gears Up for Crucial Jesse Owens Classic
By: Tyler Corbit
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Ohio is currently attending what coach Clay Calkins calls “one of the marquee meets in the country.”
The Jesse Owens Classic, hosted by Ohio State during April 21-22, will pit the Bobcats against some of the toughest competition they have faced all year. It will also provide the team chances to qualify athletes for the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
There are still high expectations for Ohio, even with them taking on some of the nation’s top teams. The Bobcats will need strong performances from the sprinters.
Coach Calkins is especially optimistic about what short sprinters Kristin Winkel, Thelma Agyekum, Gracie Huffman and Erin Stewart can produce if temperatures are friendly to them.
“A lot of that (quality of performances) hinges on if the weather permits. We can hopefully get some good performances, but if it’s cold and rainy, it can definitely (negatively) affect what they are doing out there,” Calkins said.
If the weather is conducive, you can also expect strong performances from Kaitlyn Logan, Christina Seas, Emily Cass and Abby Miller in mid-to-long distance events. Far tosses can be expected in the throwing events occurring this afternoon and evening if it’s consistently sunny.
Throwing has been on point all season long for Ohio with Jordan Porter, Emma Ryan and Gaza Odunaiya highlighting final results.
Although the trio is used to being at the top of their respective events, throws coach Nick Pero understands top performances in the ring and the track will be needed to place highly at the Jesse Owens Classic.