By Robert Hayes
The Youngstown State University track and field team participated in the Kent State Doug Raymond Qualifier at the Kent State Field House on Feb. 9.
The Penguins did well in the women’s high jump, with senior Abby Jones taking first place with a height of 1.73 meters, and freshman Olivia Jones tying for third place with 1.63 meters. Sophomore Kira Neef came in 13th at 1.58 meters.
Junior Jaliyah Elliott took first in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.36 seconds, a mark that set a new facility record at Kent State University. Freshman Suerethia Henderson also made it to the finals in the event and ran a time of 7.68 seconds.
The women’s 4×100 relay team, consisting of Alison Green, Iva Domitrovich, Elliott and Henderson, ran their best time so far this season — 3:55.28. Senior Jennifer Muhlenkamp set a new personal best in the 3000-meter run with a time of 10:15:42, 10th all-time in school history.
Two YSU women’s pole vaulters tie for second place in the unseeded round, with seniors Shelby Marken and Caitlyn Trebella posting a height of 3.53 meters. Sophomore Nicole Squatrito placed fifth in the 1-mile run with a time of 5:01.24, which is the third best time in YSU’s history.
It was a great afternoon for sophomore Kaitlyn Merwin, who placed fifth overall in the shotput and set a new personal best with a distance of 14.83 meters. The Penguins took third in the women’s triple jump after junior Chontel Fils jumped a distance 12.15 meters.
On the men’s side, freshman Terron Taylor came in second in the men’s high jump with a height of 1.99 meters. Senior Dom Westbay placed third in the shotput after having a distance of 17.06 meters.
Two Penguins made it to the finals in the 60-meter dash, with junior Josh Beaumont finishing fifth overall with a time of 6.98 seconds and freshman Jamynk Jackson finishing right behind him in sixth place with a time of 7.00 seconds. Freshman Cole Smith had a time of 8.24 seconds in the 60-meter hurdle, which was sixth place overall in the afternoon.
Freshman Ethan Sparks finished fifth overall in the 5000-meter while posting a mark of 15:19.30. Keeping with the distance runners, freshman Chris Butler ran a time of 4:17.31 in the 1-mile run, which allowed him to take sixth overall in the event.
YSU’s next track meet is at Akron on Feb. 15, as they take part in the Akron Zips Invitational. The Penguins next home meet is the Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championships. The league meet on Feb. 23 and 24 at the Watson and Tressel Training Site.