Highlighted by Sean Peterson etching school history, a select group within the Youngstown State men's and women's track and field program wrapped up the final meet of the "last chance" weekend slate, competing at the Toledo Rocket Invitational and the Akron Field Events Qualifier.
Toledo Rocket Invitational
For the second time during the 2021 outdoor season, Sean Peterson has set a new YSU school record in the 800m, clocking a 1:49.57. Peterson has uplifted his own record of 1:50.12 set at the Miami (Fl.) Hurricane Alumni Invitational on April 9th. With his time in the event he ranks 46th in the East Region. Overall, 48 total athletes will qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships (East Region Preliminary Round) in Jacksonville, Fla., May 26-29.
Kicking off the morning for the Guins, Noah Weese set a personal-best mark in the javelin throw, posting a 61.18m. Weese's mark sets a new season-best among all throwers for YSU. Not to be largely outdone, teammate Noah Drudy followed with an impressive 58.98m throw.
In the women's event, Olivia Jones set a new personal best in the javelin throw, posting a 44.61m mark. Jones's throw sits third all-time in YSU history.
Ashleigh Rowley set a seven-second personal best in the 1,500m (4:39.69), clocking the fourth-fastest women's 1500m race in school history.
In the men's event, CJ Schumacher became the seventh Penguin to clock a sub-4:00 1500m on the season, posting a personal-best 3:57.51. CJ's time is six seconds faster than his previous best mark.
Christian Ford represented Youngstown State in the sprints category, tallying two runner-up finishes across two events on the day. Ford clocked a 10.86 in the final heat of the men's 100m dash, while backing the performance up with a 21.53 posting in the 200m.
Akron Field Events Qualifier
Acting as the Penguins' sole female competitor in the meet, Sammy Dyson entered into all three throws events: shot put, discus throw, hammer throw. Highlighting her day, Dyson posted a personal-best performance in the hammer, throwing a 56.53m mark. Dyson finished with a 44.35m mark in the discus throw and finished her day with a 14.38m shot put.
Horizon League co-Freshman of the Year Zach Gray represented YSU's best finisher in the men's discus throw, posting a 48.80m throw. Teammate Brock Grundy finished fourth in the event (46.71).
Junior Joe Pfeffer tabbed a sixth place finish in the hammer throw, posting a 53.83m mark.
Up Next
The Penguins await the results of a declaration period Monday, May 17 through Wednesday, May 19, before finding out qualifiers for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships (East Region Preliminary Round) in Jacksonville, Fla., May 26-29.
