Women still strong, men improve

Track

The Zips are one day closer to taking the MAC's first-ever women's Triple Crown -- winning conference titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.

But it appears their rivals will make them earn it.

The Zips women hold a thin lead over Kent State after day two of the MAC Outdoor Track Championships. Akron's men improved a spot from fifth to fourth.

Here are the women's top five...

1. Akron, 49 points


2. Kent State, 46.5


3. Ball State, 31


4. Miami, 31


5. Ohio, 25

Here are the men...

1. Kent State, 72


2. Miami, 51


3. Eastern Michigan, 51


4. Akron, 34


5. Central Michigan, 30

And here are some Zips highlights...

• On the women's side, eight of Akron's 11 semifinal entries reached tomorrow's final events. That leads me to believe the Zips have a good chance at improving their lead over the Flashes. Finalists include Deanna Caldwell-Edwards (two events), Corine Gavin-Hall (two events), Beata Rudzinska, Emily Freudenrich, Siobahn Counts and Brittany Hocker.


• Of the four women's events scored today, Jenna Strouse took fifth in the shot put. Morgan Sulzener and Becki Michael took fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 3000-meter steeplechase.


• Akron men scored in three events today. Weston Lott and Nick Continenza took third and eighth, respectively, in the decathlon. Auston Papay won third in the shot put. Cadeau Kelley finished fourth in the long jump.


• Three male athletes advanced to the finals after strong performances today. Howard Harris will compete in both the 100 and 200. A.J. Oyer and Mike Meditz will each take a shot at tomorrow's finals in both the 110- and 400-meter hurdles. So it appears the men's standings could improve at bit as well.

Baseball

Since bad weather delayed the Akron-Kent State baseball game today, the teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon.

Game one will begin at noon.

These are basically must-win games if Akron wants to make the six-team MAC Tournament.