Buffalo isn't exactly the most cooperative city for a collegiate outdoor track program. The notoriously bad weather sometimes forces UB's track and field athletes to train in some of the worst weather around and it makes the team look elsewhere for meets and competitions.
In fact, the team has spent almost every weekend since mid-March on the road and will continue to do so through mid-May. The one exception to the team's near constant travel comes this weekend, when the Bulls host the UB Open.
With NCAA Championships just weeks away, the Bulls are hard at work, trying to get as many athletes into their NCAA Regional as possible. This weekend could be one of the team's best opportunities to post qualifying times, as they won't have to deal with the wear and tear travel puts on their bodies.
Also on the line for the UB teams are New York State bragging rights that would come with a solid showing this weekend. They look to stampede over their New York State Division I counterparts, Syracuse and Binghamton. Bulls head coach Perry Jenkins thinks that the teams involved and the fact that this is UB's only home meet will bring out the best in the UB athletes.
"I think they're looking forward to this because it's our only home meet, and we're going against Syracuse and Binghamton," Jenkins said. "A lot of kids are from the New York area, so this is going to be a key competition for them to look forward to."
The Bulls are really looking to capitalize on the momentum they picked up from their last two meets, the McDonald's Invite, and the Bison Outdoor Classic. Buffalo is hoping that two of their leaders from these two meets can carry them here at UB.
"This team is very balanced," Jenkins said. "Look for Laura Olson in the pole vault, and Rayshon Higgins in the long jump."
The Bulls will need strong efforts from all of their athletes on both days of the Open if they wish to claim supremacy over the Orangemen and the Bearcats.
"Our strongest competition could be the women's one and two jumps, men's same thing, but it could be anywhere, in any event," Jenkins said.
Since this is the team's only home meet of the year, Jenkins is hoping for a large turnout from the Mighty Maniacs.
"Hopefully we'll get a big turnout, because our student athletes are putting up flyers," Jenkins said.
Jenkins and the Bulls feel that they are ready for this competition, and if their showing at the Bison Outdoor Classic, where the teams combined to take 17 events, is any indicator, UB looks to have a successful weekend ahead of them.
The first day of the UB Open starts on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The second and final day of competition begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
