The Youngstown State men's and women's track and field teams had a solid opening performance at the two-day YSU Mid-Major Invitational presented by Southwoods Health at the WATTS on Friday.
The YSU women claimed wins in the pole vault, long jump and weight throw and posted a second-place performance in the 500m and 5,000m. The men won the long jump, the Distance Medley Relay and had second-place finishes in the 5000m and the DMR.
The women's pole vault was exciting as Ainsley Hamsher and Melana Schumaker tied with personal-best marks of 4.06m. Each cleared personal-best marks of 3.96m before one-upping their day by clearing 4.06m. Placing third was Kaitlyn Eger who had a person-best 3.96m to place third.
In the long jump, the Guins went first, third and fourth. Winning the event was Esther Solarin who had a personal-best jump of 5.86m on her final attempt of the competition. Placing third was Nia Williams-Matthews with a leap of 5.64m while Daisha Decree placed fourth at 5.61m.
In the weight throw, YSU also had first place, third place and fourth place. Winning the event with a personal-best throw of 17.62m was Lauren Sheehan. Finishing third was Krista Perry with an effort of 16.21m while Grace Sparks was fourth at 16.01m.
Malena Cybak had a second-place finish in the 500m with a time of 1:17.77. Jenna Razavi clocked a time of 18:24.29 to place second in the 5,000m while Hannah Wagner was sixth and Grace Rhoades placed seventh.
In the long jump, Tye Hunt set a meet record with a leap of 7.71m to take first place. Luke Laubacher had a career-best leap of 7.40m to place third.
The YSU men took the top two spots in the DMR. Winning the even with a time of 10:02.39 was Blaze Fichter, William Hanchosky, Riley Jackson and Owen Brady. Placing second with a time of 10:06.88 was the group of Sage Vavro, Joey Stafford, Connor Shingleton and Tobias Jones. Also, Thomas Caputo placed second in the 5,000m with a time 15:07.64.
In the weight throw, Ryan Tetrick placed fourth with a throw of 16.01m.
Action continues at the YSU Mid-Major Invitational presented by Southwoods Health at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
