Nine members of Miami University’s women’s track and field team travelled to Orlando, Fla. to train and compete before its outdoor season gets underway.

The ’Hawks competed in the University of Central Florida (UCF) Black and Gold meet Saturday.

The ’Hawks were up against two very good teams in UCF and the University of Michigan. UCF placed 5th at the NCAA Indoor Championships and Michigan finished 15th. Also competing in Orlando was St. John’s University, Florida International University and Jacksonville University.

The meet was not scored and if it had been, the RedHawks would have only had nine athletes score for them.

“It was a spring break meet so the athletes chose if they wanted to come,” Head Coach Kelly Phillips said. “It was more fun than high competition.”

Senior Erica Howes agreed the meet was viewed as more of a relaxed tune-up before the outdoor season begins to pick up.

Although the meet was viewed as a training vacation, the ’Hawks still had some top performers.

Howes finished first in the 1500 meter run with a time of 4:37.96. Senior Monica Fischer finished third with a time of 4:43.53 and junior Jess Hoover finished one half second later.

“Howes was close to a personal record in the 1500 which is surprising this early in the season,” Phillips said.

Howes credits the instruction of Phillips for her winning performance.

“I just did what Coach said and it paid off,” Howes said.

The ’Hawks struggled during their abbreviated indoor season but Phillips said she believes once the RedHawks begin the outdoor season their will score more points because more distance events are added.

Senior Layne Baggett was another top performer for the RedHawks, placing 3rd in the 200 meter race. Baggett was also part of Miami’s 3rd place 400 meter relay team.

“Baggett ran really well today, especially in the [400 meter relay],” Phillips said.

Other top runners for the Red and White include seniors Diona Graves and Katie Scannell. Scannell finished 5th in the 400 meter run with a time of 57.75. Graves finished 7th less than one second later with a time of 58.19.

Redshirt senior Samantha Gable dominated the field events for the RedHawks as she was the top finisher in the shot put, discus and hammer throw for the ’Hawks. Gable finished second overall in the shot put with a throw of 13.92 meters.

The ’Hawks were hoping to get some valuable outdoor training done while they were in Orlando because the Ohio winter did not allow them to train outside as much as they would have liked to.

Despite the fact that this meet was viewed as more of a tune up or break, the ’Hawks were satisfied with their performance.

“I thought it was a good start, we have been training hard for this season,” Howes said.

Phillips also thought the trip was a success.

“I think we did well, it was a good meet overall,” Phillips said. “It’s also sunny and 70 so that helps.”