Kent State track and field opens its first scoring meet of the season against rival Akron this evening in the Kent State Field House.

With the rivalry coming to Kent, coaches and players know the importance of this dual meet.

“There’s a little more at stake,” said assistant coach Phil Rickaby. “We’re looking for a little bit of redemption.”

Last year Akron swept the meet against the Flashes.

Rickaby is expecting very high energy and passion from the athletes and the fans from both schools.

Senior Rob Falchi knows his teammates will be ready for this meet.

“We’re all gonna get behind each other,” Falchi said.

Falchi is competing in two events, but the triple jump is one of the meet’s key matchups. Falchi not only expects to do well in the triple jump, but also he said he’s aiming to break the record.

Other than the men’s triple jump, Rickaby said the women’s triple jump and short sprints were key events, along with the men’s 800-meter and men’s high jump.

Ricakby said nothing was more important than the women’s sprints due to Kent State’s depth in this event with young freshman and sophomores.

The meet starts at 6 p.m. at the Kent State fieldhouse tonight.