TRACK AND FIELD:BUCKEYES READY TO SHINE AT THE FLORIDA RELAYS THIS WEEKEND
Ohio State track and field has been full throttle during this 2022 Outdoor track and field season. There has been success all across the board. Both the Men’s and Women’s teams have received admiration and recognition for some of the performances they have had. The Buckeyes would see three student athletes be named Big Ten Track and Field Athletes of the Week, all within the same week for their performances. On the Men’s side Senior Eric Harrison which now marks his second Big Ten Athlete of the week, and on the Women’s side Senior Adelaide Aquila which also marks her second Big Ten Athlete of the week, and Junior Jaydan Wood who just received her first ever Big Ten Athlete of the week.
The performances Harrison has had so far this season has really helped this Buckeyes team. At the 2022 Baldy Castillo Invitational he won the 100 M with a time of 10.20 and also was a member of the winning 4x100 Relay team with a time of 39.21 and then the 2022 Raleigh Relays getting first place in the Mens 100 M with a time of 10.10. But Coach Dennis looks and believes in others heading into the Florida Relay’s this Weekend.
The success of both the Men’s and Women’s team this weekend takes a village. There are high expectations for both team this season. When asked about them Dennis said “We try to put are student athletes in situations where they can compete against the best and then work to be even better.” That better will be on full display this weekend in Gainesville, Florida.
“The message is that we have to compete we’re gonna be challenged,” Dennis said when discussing the Florida Relays “You have to go out and compete”. This season the Buckeyes look to accomplish big things and it takes more than just 3–4 stars. She has high expectations for the everyone on the team that’s heading to Florida. Dennis said “Everyone that gets on that plane, I’m an equal opportunity employer”.
The Women’s team will be led by Senior Adelaide Aquila who looks to break more records as she did at the 2022 Baldy Castillo Invitational where she set a meet record for shot put at 17.88m and also Senior Anavia Battle. Awards pile up for both as the USTFCCCA named Aquila Great Lakes Region’s Women’s Athlete of the Year and Battle was named Great Lakes Region Women’s Track Athlete of the year and Big Ten Female Track Athlete of the Year.
Battle and Aquila remain the standard of Ohio State Women’s track and field but upon winning Big Ten Women’s Athlete of the week for setting a meet record of 52.39 at the 2022 Baldy Castillo Invitational coach Dennis had a lot to say about Junior Jaydan Wood’s progress who’s healthy now.
“This is her third year but her first year she’s been healthy” Dennis said.” She’s had one mishap after the other. To see her come out and run 52.3 that’s impressive. I’m happy to see Jaydan relive the work, the patience, and the commitment that she’s had to exhibit during a really difficult three years. Injuries can reck havoc on your mind, your commitment on the way you approach the sport. But she’s been diligent, she’s been committed”
The Buckeyes Men’s and Women’s track team will be at the Florida Relays this weekend in Gainesville, Florida while also sending some athletes to the Oliver Nicoloff Invite because the Florida Relays are not allowing the entire team to participate.
