M Track sends most event qualifiers to NCAA's since 1996
There were nine entries: our two shot putters, one 400-meter sprinter, one 800-meter, two Steeplechasers, one 1,500-meter runner, one 1,100-meter hurdler, and of course, the 4x400 meter relay team who got in by the skin of their teeth when a re-run of another heat got canceled the day after
I have no clue what ceiling finish is possible for us in Eugene. I know that it's very insanely hard for Midwest schools to compete nationally well in these events nowadays given our demographic decay. Maybe asking for a top-12 place is feasible? What are your thoughts?
Steeplechasers Christian Hubaker, a senior, and Joost Plaetinck, a redshirt senior, are both local products, graduating from Grand Ledge and Novi High School, respectively.
Two members of the 4x400 relay team are, as well, as freshman Dubem Amene came from Southfield Christian and senior Vail Hartman from Okemos.
When do the prelims start? Track is amazing to watch.
Talent is absolute. A sub 4 min miler will do well anywhere, so long they are peaking at the right time. Not much different in shorter distance or field events. The only exception is sprinters, which do better over the Southern US.
As in football, it's all about recruiting. Our Michigan track coaches do very well in that department. Also like in football, there are some powerhouse track programs around the country notably some SEC and Pac 12 schools.
On the women's side Ziyah Holman is a decent bet to make the finals of the national championships in the 400m. You'll remember her from the viral video during the indoor track season when she made a huge comeback as the anchor leg of the 4x400m relay.
Alice Hill qualified in the steeple chase, Aurora Rynda in the 800, and Ericka VanderLende (Rockford HS) in the 5000m
Holman and VanderLende were highly regarded recruits and have so far lived up the their billing with Holman already breaking the school record in the 400m.
It’s good to see Michigan improving a little bit on the national scene . I am a huge track and field fan, and I’ve always wondered why Michigan isn’t a little bit better nationally, and in the Big Ten in the sport. We now have one of the top indoor facilities in the United States. The problem is the absolute best track and field performers from the state of Michigan year in and year out go to college down South or in the West...they don’t even consider Michigan. It seems to be a program that puts all its emphasis in distance running, and the throws. There’s rarely a top notch sprinter, or jumper here.
Looks like one of the decathletes is a state of Michigan product as well. Heath Baldwin graduated from Hackett Catholic Prep in Kalamazoo.