The Kent State track and field team heads to Ypsilanti, Michigan, to compete in the Indoor MAC Championships this Friday and Saturday.

“The week of the conference championships is always exciting,” coach Bill Lawson said. “We can see the adrenaline levels going up, the anticipation is really coming off of the tuneup meet.”

The last time the Flashes were in Ypsilanti was January, where they competed against Eastern Michigan University.

“I like to say, ‘the hay is in the barn’,” Lawson said. “Kid’s are letting their body’s recover and feel fresh. We’ve been to Ypsilanti once already this year and doing things the same. We have the same bus driver, we’re staying at the same hotel, we have the same meal plan, trying to build that familiarity with our student-athletes.”

Last weekend Danniel Thomas threw 18.32 meters (60’ 1.25”) in the shot put. Thomas ranks eighth in the world, second among Division 1 athletes and ninth on the all-time collegiate performances.

“We have some really good events, especially in the throws,” Lawson said. “It’ll be fun to see what Danniel Thomas can do coming off her performance last weekend. There’s some good competition around the conference, she still has to go out there and put one between the lines.”

Reggie Jagers III set a career-best in the weight throw last weekend with a mark of 21.24m (69’ 8.25”). Jagers is ranked 17^th in the nation and leads in the MAC.

“(Jaggers) is another one,” Lawson said. “Last time we were in Ypsilanti, he had a really good series. We’re expecting Reggie to step up and hit a big number in the weight throw.”

Gabrielle Figueroa took first place last weekend in the weight throw with a mark of 19.20m (63’ 0”). She took second in the women’s weight throw at the 2016 MAC Championships with a mark of 19.35m (63’ 6”).

“Gabby Figueroa has had some good throws, she won a lot of meets,” Lawson said. This is her time to step up and go for that MAC Championship and possibly secure a birth for the NCAA Championships.”

“In our team meeting Thursday night, I’m going to tell them to compete to the best of their abilities, don’t try to do anything extraordinary, and let the cards fall where they may,” Lawson said. “If you bring the performance that got you to the championship meet, you’re going to do really well.”

Samantha Ross is a sports reporter, contact her at [email protected].