In the third outdoor meet of the season, the Miami University women's track and field team will host the first of three meets this weekend at the George L. Rider Track.
Miami's fast start has put them back near the top of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), where they finished third last season.
"We're out there to win," Head Coach Kelly Phillips said. "Our sprinters and throwers are stronger this year and having [senior distance runner Kelley] Miller back is great for distance."
The 'Hawks know being at home will not necessarily make their jobs any easier. This weekend will feature some stout competition, keeping the team focused on its goals for improvement.
"I don't really feel like the edge is completely off since Kent State [University] and Western Michigan [University] will be there," senior sprinter Diona Graves said. "Being at home makes it a little easier, because I know the track really well."
Graves is looking to add another milestone to her already amazing career, as she holds several individual and team records, with two coming this past indoor season in the 200-meter dash and the 4x400-meter relay.
"The only thing I really want to do this weekend is break the 200 school record on my home turf," Graves said. "That's all I'm thinking about right now."
Being at home, junior hurdler Layne Baggett can focus more on her race, as she stressed all indoor season. Baggett is still in the top tier of competition in the 100-meter hurdles, in good standing to defend her MAC title.
"I'm hoping that being at home this weekend will play to my advantage," Baggett said. "I think that it will help me stay a little bit more focused since I'm used to running on this track everyday. The hurdles look to be a tight race and I'm really just hoping to run a new [personal record]."
The RedHawks are also looking to have more strong performances from senior thrower Alexandra Roberts as well as Miller in their respective events. Both are off to exceptional starts this season and are early contenders for claiming potential spots in the NCAA qualifying rounds.
This weekend's meet begins 2 p.m. Friday and continues 10 a.m. Saturday.
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