Indoor Track Update 17

Pokuaah wins MAC long jump crown

Akron junior Jacqueline Pokuaah won the Mid American Conference long jump with a mark of 6.07, Feb. 26, on the campus of Central Michigan. Currently in her first year of NCAA Division I competition, Pokuaah was very accomplished on the junior college level. When she competed for Cloud County, she was the national indoor runner-up in long jump last season, when she jumped 5.95. In 2019 she placed third in both the indoor and outdoor national junior college meets.

This year Pokuaah entered the conference championship with the second best mark of the regular season, when she jumped 6.06 in her first meet of the season, Jan. 15.

Her teammate Kassandra Roemer had the best jump coming into the championships at 6.13. Pokuaah finished in the top spot ahead of Central Michigan sophomore Hayley Manners, who had the fourth best mark in the regular season at 5.90. Manners captured the runner-up spot at the championship meet with a career best jump of 6.03. Her second place finish this year is a big step up from her eight place result in 2020.

Northern Illinois junior Jazmyn Smith placed third at six meters even. She finished third last season as well. The favorite going in, Roemer placed fourth at 5.84.

Quiara Wheeler captures weight toss championship

Central Michigan senior Quiara Wheeler has been the best thrower in the Mid American Conference all indoor season. No other competitor in the conference was able to top 20 meters, Wheeler did it in every meet that she competed (four), prior to the championships. Why wouldn't she continue her dominance at the Mid American Conference championships?

Wheeler remained the only thrower in the conference to toss over 20 meters. At the championship meet she hit the mark of 20.59. This was the senior's first time winning the championship. She placed third last year, sixth in 2019 and eighth in 2018. In each of her five meets so far this year she has yet to lose.

Seven of the top eight finishers in the field of 18 were seniors. Second place went to Wheeler's teammate, senior Marissa Dunn (19.66). Ohio senior Abby Moore placed third (19.33).

Other results include, Northern Illinois junior Ashley Tott winning the 5,000 meters at 17:14, ahead of Miami junior Katie Vitou (17:16.76) and Akron senior Lindsey Scarton (17:18.42). Kent's Leah Pasqualetti took the conference championship in the pole vault. The freshman bested four other seniors who placed second through fifth respectively with a jump of 4.16.

Day two previews

Pokuaah leads competitors in 60-meter hurdles qualifier

Long jump winner Jacqueline Pokuaah will attempt to capture another championship when she faces seven other competitors in the 60-meter hurdles, today. Pokuaah ran a top preliminary time of 8.65. Ball State junior Kennedy Batts had the second best prelim finish at 8.68. Freshman Ahvon Mitchell of Western Michigan was a surprise in the prelims with the third best and personal record time of 8.78.

Eastern Michigan junior Angel Gazaway qualified for her third straight indoor championship final running 8.81 in the preliminary round. Ball State's Anasja Troutman is the only senior in the final after qualifying at 8.82. Northern Illinois freshman Scout Regular recorded the sixth best prelim finish at 8.84. Sophomore Kayla Walters of Miami (8.89) and Kent State senior Mi'Angel Daniels (8.90) round out the eight competitors that will compete for the championship.

Champ Davis looks to hold off Nevels, Draper and the field

Eastern Michigan sophomore Alyson Davis did what was expected. She had the top qualifying time in the 60 meters at 7.53. The only issue now is that her competitors are running the best times of their career. Bowling Green senior Savannah Nevels clocked her best time at 7.544 during the prelims. Central Michigan sophomore Reghan Draper did a personal best as well at 7.549. One can only suspect that the two will push even harder as they try to dethrone Davis from the top spot.

Davis took last year's final at 7.50, ahead of Nevels who placed third at 7.52. Draper failed to qualify last season, finishing 12th in last year's preliminary round.