The Youngstown State track & field programs tallied a combined seven event wins (three preliminary, four final) and 22 top-five finishes during Friday's action at the YSU Mid-Major Invitational.
Junior Wyatt Lefker added to his already-impressive 2021 indoor resume, setting a new program record in the Pole Vault (4.95) and edging out the 4.93 record he etched just two-weeks ago at the YSU Collegiate Invitational. In addition, Lefker, with his Friday performance, added an event-victory for the Guins.
Running Highlights
The Penguins wasted no time earning spots in Saturday's event finals as sophomore Jahniya Bowers (7.56), junior Suerethia Henderson (7.74) and sophomore Kyndia Matlock (7.78) finished atop the women's preliminary 60m dash. Not far behind, freshman Cyncere Cunningham (7.97) notched a fifth-place finish.
Led by junior Jamynk Jackson, the men's 60m dash sprinters followed suit, filling-out the top-3 spots in Friday's preliminary race. Jackson (7.07) finished with the top-time, followed by sophomore Christian Ford clocking a 7.11 and fellow-sophomore Zaire Fabian posting a 7.15.
Adding hurdles to the track hardly stopped the YSU speed, as a pair of freshman in Emily Bee (9.03) and Madison Murry (9.14) notched top-five finishes in the preliminary 60m hurdles. Likewise on the men's side, freshman Ja-Von Poole (8.88) and Tobias Hayes (9.01) clinched their spots Saturday's 60m hurdles final with a pair of top-five marks.
The freshman-fueled YSU men's distance medley team comprised of Jack Aulbach, Riley Jackson, Ty Coon, and Chase Harbaugh clocked a 10:30.81, edging out the Transylvania squad and winning another event for the Guins.
Field Highlights
Freshman Emma Etzwiler lead the charge in the women's pole vault clearing 3.54m, earning her a second-place finish in the event. Junior Katlyn Griffie also finished in the top-five, finishing fourth (3.39m).
Occupying three of the top-five spots and four of the top-six in the women's long jump, senior Jessica Stever notched the event victory with a 5.64m mark, just out-jumping freshman-teammate Stephanie Simon (5.62m). On the men's side, junior Daiquain Watson (7.04m) and sophomore Jakari Lomax (7.03) finished second and third in the event.
Freshman Riley Wright, posting a score of 2688, put together a notable performance in the first day of the men's heptathlon, sitting in second place with three events left (60m hurdles, pole vault, 1000m run).
With a final score of 3440, junior Olivia Jones capped Friday's action by taking home the gold in the women's pentathlon, winning four-of-five events (60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump).
Other Notable Day One Performances
Junior Sammy Dyson posted a 17.68m weight throw, finished fourth.
Junior Antonella LaMonica clocked an 8.01 60m dash, recorded sixth-best time.
Sophomore Alexis Prater clocked a 9.35 60m hurdle, recorded sixth-best time.
Freshman Madison Skelly cleared a 3.24m pole vault, finished sixth.
Freshman Nia Williams-Matthews posted a 5.30m long jump, finished sixth.
The Penguins return for day two action at the YSU Mid-Major Invitational Saturday, with events getting underway at 9:45 a.m.
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