Kent State’s track and field teams will be among 25 teams competing at the Akron Invitational this weekend.

The meet, which will take place in Akron’s Stile Field House, features several nationally ranked programs such as No. 15 Penn State, No. 18 Auburn and No. 20 West Virginia.

The Flashes saw many athletes earn personal bests last week at Notre Dame as only two weeks remain before the Mid-American Conference indoor championships.

Junior distance runner Destin Heasley was named as the MAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week for finishing the 800-meter run in 1:49.78 — a national provisional qualifying time that is also the best by any MAC athlete this season.

“He was tripped up in the first 200 meters and almost fell down,” said Kent State coach Bill Lawson, “but he regained himself and was able to get back in the race.”

Heasley also ran in the 4×400-meter relay, running a split time of 47.7 seconds to help the team finish in fifth place.

The meet will start at 5 p.m. tonight and continue at 9 a.m. tomorrow, with the finals in most events to be held between 3-6 p.m.

Contact sports reporter Jody Michael at [email protected].