“Stevi Large broke her own Mid-American Conference, UA and Stile Field House record in the weight throw Friday night at the Zips Open. Large set a mark of 70-03.50, currently second best in the nation. She just keeps rolling, head coach Dennis Mitchell said.”
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Stevi Large broke her own Mid-American Conference, UA and Stile Field House record in the weight throw Friday night at the Zips Open.

Large set a mark of 70-03.50, currently second best in the nation.

She just keeps rolling, head coach Dennis Mitchell said. She definitely deserves it. She is a highly dedicated athlete. It was a great milestone to hit.

The throw was the first time Large has thrown a distance of at least 70 feet.

She’s expecting a lot more and we’re hoping for a lot more as she goes into the conference and nationals, Mitchell said.

Overall, the Zips performed well in the meet.

On the men’s side, sophomore sprinter Zach Harper finished third in the preliminary round of the men’s 60 meter hurdles. Harper finished strong in the final and beat Ohio State wide receiver/sprinter Brian Hartline with a time of 8.09.

Two Zips finished at the top of the men’s shot put with Austin Papay again dominating with a distance 59-02.25. Keith Huebner finished second with a distance of 55-11.25, his personal best of the year.

In the long jump, Cadeau Kelley, Collister Fahie and Johnny Adams finished in the top three with distances of 24-00.75, 22-07.00 and 22-04.25 respectively.

The women continued their dominance on the track with five finishing in the top six in the mile, three taking the top three spots in the hurdles and two finishing first and second in the 60 meter dash.

I was very pleased, Mitchell said. It was a tune up meet for us for the conference, some of the questions we had were answered and we’re ready for the meet this weekend.

The Zips will travel to Eastern Michigan this weekend to compete in the MAC Indoor Championships.

Our goal is to win the MAC, it’s what we’re there to do, Mitchell said. We feel strong about or chances. There are some strong teams there and we’re gonna have to step it up to make it happen.

With such a strong showing during the indoor season, Mitchell believes both the men and women could finish strong.

I really feel good about how we’re coming in, our women look strong, Mitchell said. On paper they’re looking great, but it’s going to be a situation where we’re going to be very challenged. We’re going in as the favorite, but I don’t see us being that big of a favorite. The other teams go a great job.

On the men’s side we come in as the underdog, but we’re still coming in strong, Mitchell said. I feel very good about how we’re coming in.

Despite being confident, Mitchell was hesitant to predict a winner.

I know who I want to win, but I won’t make any predictions, Mitchell said.

We’re in it to win it. That’s the plan and we know what we have to do. We have the team to do it and we’ve gotta step up and make it happen.

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” #1.1361241:1786118809.jpg:SteviLargeWeightThrow.jpg:Stevi Large broke her own MAC record with a mark 70-03.50.:Jeff Harwell / Zips Sports Photography”