With all the negative publicity the school has taken the last couple of weeks, figured might as well toss in some positive news.

http://www.ohio.com/cmlink/1.610532?print=1

The Akron men's track and field team has been an example of Akron's aggressive spending on athletics being successful. The program has been ranked in the top 25 nationally the last two years, including a 12th place finish at the outdoor championships.

Next year's team will certainly be ranked in the top 25, and could finish in the top 5 at the national meet.

No, the team isn't a revenue producer, but when you can become an annual power, you can attract more guys like Barber and Murphy. The amount of publicity they are giving UA (and that could sky rocket if both make the Olympics next year), is worth the investment the school has made in the sport.

UB had a Silver (Baseball) and a 5ht place finish (Shot)...

I won't start a new thread, but its worth mentioning that Akron's Clayton Murphy's incredible run this summer came to an end yesterday in the semifinals of the World Championships. He was the top overall USA finisher in 1:46.28 (third best of his career), but finished 7th in his heat (12th overall).

In summary, the last three months have been this for the to-be junior:
1. Comes relatively out of nowhere to place 3rd at the NCAA championships.
2. Follows that up by finishing fourth at the US World Championship trials, finishing as the top collegiate runner and being the first alternate.
3. Named to the US Pan American team where he wins gold.
4. Wins silver for the US at the NACAC championships.
5. Is added to the US World team where he is top American runner and 12th in the world.

Not bad for somebody who wasn't an 800 runner before this year. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Also from the World Championships, as expected, Akron's Shawn Barber (Canada) has reached the finals and will go for the world championship tomorrow morning.

Very cool, it is successes like these in sports other than football and basketball that show the value of the MAC as an all around conference that produces talent in multiple sports.

Add this to Akron's Soccer success and you have alot to be proud of.

Rock on Akron!

(08-23-2015 01:11 PM)Wadszip Wrote:  I won't start a new thread, but its worth mentioning that Akron's Clayton Murphy's incredible run this summer came to an end yesterday in the semifinals of the World Championships. He was the top overall USA finisher in 1:46.28 (third best of his career), but finished 7th in his heat (12th overall).

In summary, the last three months have been this for the to-be junior:
1. Comes relatively out of nowhere to place 3rd at the NCAA championships.
2. Follows that up by finishing fourth at the US World Championship trials, finishing as the top collegiate runner and being the first alternate.
3. Named to the US Pan American team where he wins gold.
4. Wins silver for the US at the NACAC championships.
5. Is added to the US World team where he is top American runner and 12th in the world.

Not bad for somebody who wasn't an 800 runner before this year. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Also from the World Championships, as expected, Akron's Shawn Barber (Canada) has reached the finals and will go for the world championship tomorrow morning.

ha ha, you said "incredible run"