Highlighted by a pair of school records set, the Youngstown State track and field program wrapped up an impressive showing during its 2021-22 indoor season debut on Friday at the annual YSU Icebreaker.
Clearing a 4.05m bar, Erin Bogard set a new YSU record in the women's pole vault and uplifted her previous school record of a 4.00m vault set at the 2021 Horizon League Indoor Championships. The vault also qualifies as a new YSU Icebreaker record and personal-best for Bogard.
Wyatt Lefker set a new school record with a 5.15m pole vault, edging out the 4.95m mark he etched at the YSU Collegiate Invitational during the 2021 indoor season. In addition, Lefker, with his Friday performance, added an event victory for the Penguins while upping his personal-best.
YSU went on to earn 25 top-five finishes throughout Friday's action from the WATTS, taking the outright title in six events (women's 60m dash, women's 200m dash, men's 3000m, women's pole vault, men's pole vault, men's shot put).
Running Highlights
In the first of two event victories on the day, Jahniya Bowers took the gold in the women's 60m dash, clocking a blazing' time of 7.38 - a mark that ties her YSU Icebreaker record set in 2019 and poses as second fastest all-time in school history. Later in the afternoon, Bowers stepped into the blocks in the women's 200m race and captured her second title of the day, winning the event with a personal-best time of 24.40 seconds. Just behind, teammate Kyndia Matlock posted a time of 25.05 to win the bronze.
At the time of the race, Bowers' 60m dash time acted as the second-fastest recorded in the nation.
In the men's race, Tye Hunt acted as the Penguins fastest 60m dash finisher with a third-place finish and a time of 6.87.
Adding hurdles to the track hardly slowed down the Penguins, as Madison Murry clocked a personal-best time of 8.68 which was good for runner-up. Right behind, Teddi Kinsey posted a 9.10 to finish fifth.
Chase Stewart logged his first event victory of his YSU career, winning the men's 3000m race with a personal-best time of 8:47.80. Even more impressive, this wast Stewart's 3000m debut.
Field Event Highlights
Picking up where he left off during the 2020-21 season, Dominic Perry took the crown in the men's shot put, throwing 17.47m on his sixth, and final, attempt. Zach Gray logged a top-four finish with a personal-best throw of 16.55m in the event.
In her YSU debut, Victoria Lenese tied the third-best women's high jump in school history, clearing a 1.71m bar to earn a runner-up finish in the event. Behind Lanese, teammate Emily Bee was able to clear 1.60m for the fifth-place finish.
On the men's side, Lonnie Harper posted a runner-up finish in the men's high jump, clearing 2.08m on his first attempt at the height. Harper got three attempts at 2.11m, but couldn't match his personal-best.
YSU went 3, 4, 5 in the men's long jump, tallying a pair of personal-bests. Samuel Challis was third with a 7.30m jump, followed by Luke Laubacher (7.08) and Jakari Lomax (7.08). Jessica Stever highlighted the event for the Penguins on the women's side, finishing fourth with a 5.67m jump on her final attempt.
After Bogard, Emma Etzwiler and Katlyn Griffie had top-five outings in the women's pole vault, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively. Both athletes cleared 3.57m.
Up Next
Following a week layoff, the Penguins are back in action at the WATTS on Friday, Dec. 10, to host the inaugural YSU Collegiate Holiday Classic. Events begin at 2 p.m.
For complete coverage of Youngstown State track & field, follow @YSUTrackFieldXC on Twitter.
