Track returns to Kentucky

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's track and field teams return to Kentucky this weekend, as the squads will run at the 2011 Rod McCravy Memorial Meet.

It is business as usual as the teams looks continue to position themselves in the Sun Belt Conference and prepare for next month's SBC Championships in Jonesboro, Ark.

"When we go back to Kentucky, we start entering the athletes in the events they will run at the Sun Belt," said head coach Dean Hayes. "The next two weeks is where we will really put the pieces together and focus getting better in their respective events."

Between the two teams, Middle Tennessee the top conference mark in eight events.

A handful of each team's top athletes will have another chance to better their NCAA times and marks in order qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships in March.

Entering the weekend, Josh Butler sits ninth nationally in the triple jump with a mark of 51-2.5 (15.6m). He would go the NCAA Championships as of today. Noah Akwu ranks 27th in the 400 meters in 47.90 and Roscoe Payne sits 23rd in the 55 meter hurdles in 7.93. These two will look to improve in order to qualify for the national meet.

Ann Dudley's high jump of 5-11.25 (1.81m) from the Ed Temple Classic slots her eighth nationally and France Makabu sits 15th in the triple jump with a mark of 41-0.25 (12.5m). Both would currently go to the national championships, but will look to improve in order to guarantee qualification.

Live results and full meet coverage of the 2011 Rod McCravy Memorial will be available on GoBlueRaiders.com.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.