Familiarity breeds success.
The men's and women's track team proved this old adage true, as the team traveled to Akron for the third time in one month, to compete at the Mid-American Conference Championships. The men finished fourth overall, bettering last years fifth-place performance, while the women improved on last years ninth-place finish, placing sixth overall this year.
"Everyone picked us to finish last on paper, but I told the guys they were the best team I've had in my eight years," said men's indoor track head coach Perry Jenkins. "They went out there and took care of business, and we finished fourth overall thanks to our senior leadership and freshmen recruit."
Leading the way for the men's team was senior Rayshon Higgins. Higgins helped the Bulls stay in contention with his win in the triple jump event, scoring a 49-09.00. This is the second year in a row that Higgins captured a MAC title in the triple jump event.
"We really needed a win from Rayshon and he came through for us like a senior leader should." Jenkins said.
Credit also belongs to senior Reggie Rucker, who took home a MAC title in the 60-meter hurdles event with an impressive time of 7.98 seconds. Rucker's win marked the first time since joining the MAC in 1998, that a male participant from Buffalo won the 60-meter hurdles event.
Freshman standout Zeke Porter finished third in both the 60-meter dash, and the 200-meter dash, outrunning the competition for the Bulls. Porter also set new school records in each event, recording a 6.83 second time in the 60, and a 21.49 second time in the 200.
"For a freshman this is really impressive," Jenkins said. "Porter has tremendous talent."
The women's program also left the Akron Fieldhouse with a lot to be proud of. The Bulls posted their best overall team performance in program history, finishing sixth overall out of twelve total teams.
"We have a number of young players, and great seniors who really helped set the tone," said women's indoor track head coach Vicki Mitchell. "The women exceeded all of our expectations this season."
Senior Patrice Coney battled a hamstring injury all season, but with her inspiring performance this weekend in the Championships it looked as if she never missed a day. Coney took home her first MAC title winning the pentathlon with a score of 3,677 points. That score beat the school record she set in the MAC Championships in 2005.
"What a gutsy performance," Mitchell said. "This was her first meet in over a month, and she really showed her level of talent, concentration, and courage out there."
Sarah Vance took home a first place finish, winning the weight throw with a score of 51-10.00. In her final and best season as a Bull, Vance can credit her success to how hard she's worked all year.
"She really put it all out on the line for us, and delivered an amazing performance," Mitchell said.
The host Akron Zips won the women's competition overall, and the Eastern Michigan Eagles won on the men's side.
Both squads will be heading to the ECAC/IC4A Championships in Boston, Mass. starting on March 3rd. Buffalo will be sending an impressive total of 16 male athletes to compete in this year's Eastern Regionals held in Boston.
"The average has been sending four to seven guys to Regionals," Jenkins said. "So this really says something about our program."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
