Continuing its rigorous winter campaign, the Youngstown State University track and field program concluded the first leg of the annual YSU Mid-Major Invitational and the Rod McCravy Memorial Meet on Friday.
Rod McCravy Memorial Meet Update
Coming out of lane nine, Jahniya Bowers advanced to Saturday's semi-final heat of the women's 60m dash, clocking a 7.39 - the fifth-fastest first round time of the afternoon. Bowers finished runner-up in her heat, coming in behind Minnesota's Akilah Lewis who posted a 7.38. Bowers is one of only 18 Saturday qualifiers in the event.
Lining up in lane five, Anthony Woods punched his ticket to the semi-final round of the men's 60m dash with first-place finish in his heat to earn the automatic qualifier. Woods posted the third-fastest first round time of the day (6.73), finishing only behind Kentucky's Myles Anders and Baylor's De'montray Callis.
Stepping into the 200m blocks later in the day, Woods clocked the fifth-fastest time in school history of 21.51 to log an eighth-place finish in the event while taking the top spot in his heat. In the women's event, Bowers finished 11th-overall with a time 24.34, ahead of 65 total entries.
Semi-final heats of the 60m dash are set for Noon on Saturday at the Nutter Field House. Qualifiers will race in the event final scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Following, Sean Peterson will compete in the first of three heats of the men's 800m run set for 2:10 p.m.
Mid-Major Invitational Running Highlights
YSU opened the school record book in the men's 5000m race, taking four of the top-7 spots in the event. The Penguins were led by Hunter Christopher who recorded the second-fastest mark in program history of 14:23.98 to earn the bronze while also setting a new YSU Mid-Major Invitational meet record. Just behind, Ryan Meadows clocked the fifth-fastest time in program history of 14:37.10 to finish fourth, Chase Easterling posted the tenth-quickest mark in program history of 14:40.02 to finish fifth and Tyler Clark personal-best time of 14:45.54 to take seventh.
Morgan Cole earned her second event victory of the 2021-22 indoor season with her Friday performance in the women's 5000m. Cole ran a time of 17:02.95, which is the second-fastest time clocked in school history in the event. Not to be outdone, Mackenzie Scott posted a 23-second personal best with a time of 18:03.25 to earn a top-5 finish in the event.
The men's DMR team comprised of Jack Wilcoxson, Evan Alten, Mikel Lagaras and Riley Jackson put together a third-place outing, clocking a season-best time of 10:22.47. In the women's relay, Teddi Kinsey, Carly Hall, Lauren Dolak and Julia Magliocca also recorded a third-place finish with a time of 12:28.68.
Mid-Major Field Invitational Event Highlights
En route to his event victory, Dominic Perry tossed the sixth-furthest weight throw in school history with a personal-best 18.13m (59' 5¾") mark. Rounding out the top-five finishers, Brock Grundy logged a 15.90m (52' 2") mark for fifth in the event.
Samuel Challis captured his first event victory of the 2021-22 indoor season with a personal-best 7.41m (24' 3¾") leap – the second-furthest long jump in program history. Behind Challis, Tye Hunt (7.30m) and Luke Laubacher (7.07m) went 2, 3 in the event to complete the medal sweep for the Penguins.
Jessica Stever was the team's top finisher in the women's long jump competition with a 5.70m (18' 8½") jump to earn the runner-up nod. Alexis Prater finished fifth, jumping 5.55m (18' 2½").
The Penguins logged a pair of top-5 finishes in the women's pole vault competition, highlighted by Katlyn Griffie's third place nod with a 3.52m (11' 6½") vault. Sydney Walker finished fifth, clearing 3.52m (11' 6½").
Up Next
The Penguins return to competition tomorrow to close-out the final day of the YSU Mid-Major Invitational and Rod McCravy Memorial Meet. Action from the WATTS gets underway at 9:30 a.m., while YSU-affiliated events in Lexington go at Noon.
