A Weekend for Big Ten Championships – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/15/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
February 15, 1999
Ohio State used its final weekend before the Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships to tighten the screws in the program before heading into the upcoming weekend’s competition. Andrew Pierce was stellar once more, anchoring the 4×400 meter relay team that had a dramatic comeback (which Pierce orchestrated) to win at the Scarlet and Gray Invitational. 60 was the number for Donica Merriman, as she racked up wins in the 60 meter dash and 60 meter hurdles. %^$
%^$BIG TEN PREVIEW–THE BUCKEYE MEN%^$
%^$The University of Minnesota won the first indoor Big Ten championship in school history in 1998, winning the team title. The Golden Gophers earned the victory by capturing two individual titles, along with three runner-up finishes. Wisconsin finished second with 94 points, breaking a string of six consecutive conference titles, including outdoor titles. The Badgers were attempting to become the first Big Ten team in 27 years to capture four straight indoor titles. Although host Purdue captured four individual titles, the Boilermakers placed third at the Championships. Fourth-place Illinois finished with the most titles, winning five events.%^$
%^$BIG TEN PREVIEW–THE BUCKEYE WOMEN%^$
%^$The University of Michigan had five champions and won last years Championships with a total of 133 points. Returning for this years competition are middle distance runner Sarah Hamilton, high jumper Nicole Forrester and Tania Longe, a champion in the long jump, triple jump and pentathlon. Katie McGregor also looks to defend her 3,000 meter title. The University of Wisconsin was runner-up with 112 points, the fifth second place finish for the team in the 90s. The Badgers return seven-time All-American Jenni Westphal, the Big Ten Conference Outdoor Athlete of the Year. Westphal, however, has been injured, but is expected to return in time for the Indoor Championships. For the Buckeyes, Donica Merriman looks to become championin the 60 meter low hurdles, where a year ago she was the Indoor champion in the 55 meter hurdles. %^$
%^$WOMENS BIG TEN SCHEDULE OF EVENTS%^$
%^$Following is the schedule of events for the Big Ten Womens Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Ohio State. All events will take place in the French Field House throughout the course of the weekend. %^$
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%^$Saturday, Feb. 20%^$9 a.m. Pentathlon 60-meter hurdles%^$9:45 a.m. Pentathlon high jump%^$11:30 a.m. Pentathlon shot put%^$12:30 p.m. Pentathlon long jump%^$2 p.m. Pentathlon 800-meter run%^$ Pole vault trials and finals%^$2:15 p.m. 55-meter dash trials%^$2:30 p.m. 55-meter hurdles trials%^$ Shot put trials and finals%^$2:50 p.m. One-mile run trials%^$3:15 p.m. 400-meter dash trials%^$ Long jump trials and finals%^$3:35 p.m. 55-meter dash semifinals%^$3:45 p.m. 800-meter run trials%^$4:10 p.m. 55-meter hurdles semifinals%^$4:20 p.m. 600-meter run trials%^$4:35 p.m. 200-meter dash trials%^$5 p.m. 3,000-meter run finals%^$5:20 p.m. Distance medley relay finals%^$
%^$Sunday, Feb. 21%^$10 a.m. Weight throw trials and finals%^$12:45 p.m. Triple jump trials and finals%^$1 p.m. High jump trials and finals%^$1:50 p.m. One-mile run finals%^$2 p.m. 400-meter dash finals%^$2:10 p.m. 55-meter dash finals%^$2:25 p.m. 800-meter run finals%^$2:30 p.m. 55-meter hurdles finals%^$2:40 p.m. 600-meter run finals%^$2:50 p.m. 200-meter dash finals%^$3 p.m. 5,000-meter run finals%^$3:30 p.m. 4×400-meter finals%^$3:50 p.m. Awards presentation%^$%^$
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