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Men's track ready to host RedHawk Invitational

Shannon Whitson, For The Miami Student

As the season winds down for Miami University's men's track and field team, with just two meets until the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship, the 'Hawks will host the RedHawk Invitational this Saturday.

In addition to those competing in the RedHawk Invitational this weekend, junior distance runner Jarrod Eick will be representing the RedHawks Thursday at the Penn Relays, where Eick will run the 5,000-meters for the second time this season. Eick, who ran a personal best time of 14 minutes and 19 seconds at the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational held at the University of Cincinnati, is looking to put together another great race at one of the biggest track and field meets in the country.

In previous years, the University of Cincinnati, Morehead State University, Xavier University, Cedarville University, Kentucky State University and Tiffin University have all brought teams to attend and participate in the RedHawk Invitational. These same teams are expected to contribute to this Saturday's turnout at the Red and White's George L. Rider Track.

However, despite the fact about six teams from the area are predicted to travel to Oxford for this weekend's invitational, a large part of Miami's team will most likely sit this meet out in order to rest for meets to come.

Wade Coffin, who mainly races the 800-meter event, is a part of the small fraction of 'Hawks who will run in the RedHawk Invite. Those competing along with Coffin will use this meet as a tune up.

"I am excited to get back out there," Coffin said. "It will be nice to have my teammates at the meet, whether they are racing or not."

On the other hand, sophomores David Wing and Kevin Brown will be at the RedHawk Invitational Saturday morning simply to help members of Miami's athletic staff run this home meet.

"Most of the time runners and field participants will either take this weekend off of racing or next weekend," Wing said. "This helps give some of the guys who have been racing for four or five weekends in a row an opportunity to rest."

Brown, who like Coffin also runs the 800-meter, agreed with Wing.

"Racing and competing weekend after weekend really can start to wear track guys down," Brown said. "It will be different not racing at the meet, but I am definitely excited to go out and watch those who are competing."

As a whole, Miami's track and field team is made up of a roster complete with about 40 athletes. Senior Jordan Goffena placed first last weekend in the All-Ohio Championships, contributing to Miami's third place finish in the meet.

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The RedHawks will look to build on this upcoming meet as they head towards the MAC Championships, only two weeks away.