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The men's track and field team will have a chance to get almost everybody on the track this weekend at one of the finest track facilities in the country: the Malcolm Athletic Center in Findlay, Ohio.
The Findlay Open, hosted by the University of Findlay, replaces the Canon Classic on the schedule, after the Classic was canceled due to lack of sponsorship.
"In a new facility like Findlay, it's refreshing to go somewhere you've never been before," head coach Jermaine Jones said.
Ball State is coming off a meet at the competitive Indiana Invitational, which included a record-setting performance from senior pole vaulter Paul Panning. Panning broke his previous record with a mark of 17-5 12.
Junior Jason Howard and freshman Melvin Anderson had sixth- and 10th-place finishes, respectively, in the long jump. Anderson sprained his ankle during preliminaries, and his performance in the finals reflected his injury status; however, Anderson expects to return for the Findlay Open.
"I took that jump in finals and found out I was still hurt, but I rested my ankle all week," Anderson said. "I think I have a good shot at winning the triple jump and personal record in both my events."
Aaron Hoover also had a stellar performance in the 5,000-meter run, in which he finished third with a time of 14:53.64.
The Findlay Open will be a transition for the team in that it will be a low-key meet with fewer large schools, such as those seen at the Indiana Invitational.
"We should get some pretty good times out of this meet," Jones said. "This weekend is about putting together good marks."
The team has been dealing with several nagging injuries, including junior Matt Filer's hamstring injury, which he has been playing through for the past few weeks.
Multifaceted Nick Panozzo, normally a three- or four-event athlete, will likely be participating in just the shot put at the Findlay Open due to a hamstring injury.
"As long as he's ready to go for the MAC, that's all we care about. We're building toward the 27th," Jones said.
Feb. 27 marks the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships, which Jones has been building the team up to throughout the indoor season.
The two-day Findlay Open, the team's first scored meet of the indoor season, begins at 3 p.m. Friday and concludes Saturday.
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