By Marissa Masano / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University track and field teams split up to open its 2024-25 season.
Some Penguins stayed at home Dec. 6, 2024 for the YSU Icebreaker presented by Southwoods Health, while others traveled to the Grand Valley State University Holiday Open in Allendale, Michigan.
A day later, Youngstown State traveled to the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, hosted by Boston University.
Inside the Watson and Tressel Training Site, Youngstown State won six events, along with a school record from fifth-year senior Madison Murry.
Murry set a school record with a time of 8.36 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles. In the finals, the Ohio native placed first with a time of 8.39 seconds. Her preliminary time sits atop the Horizon League and is tenth in the country.
In the men’s 60-meter hurdles, senior Luke Laubacher clocked a personal best of 7.72 seconds in the prelims. This time is also the top time in the Horizon League and second in the country. Laubacher won the event with a time of 7.77 seconds in the finals.
Junior Emmanuel Asabere won the men’s long jump with a jump of 7.45 meters. In his school debut, Asabere set a new personal record, which ranks first in the Horizon League and sixth in the country.
In the men’s high jump, freshman Noah Crozier and senior Zachary Webb shared the win as both cleared 2.05 meters. In the women’s pole vault, sophomore Kaitlyn Eger and juniors Melana Schumaker and Ainsley Hamsher all cleared a height of 3.90 meters to share the victory.
The Penguins swept the podium in the women’s shot put. Placing first was freshman Brooklyn McIntyre with a throw of 12.76 meters. Freshmen Olivia Mason and Grace Bundy finished second and third, reaching 12.41 meters and 11.11 meters, respectively.
After the meet, the team claimed three of the four Under Armour Horizon League Track and Field Indoor Athletes of the Week awards. Laubacher and Murry were named Men’s and Women’s Runner of the Week, and Asabere was named the Men’s Field Athlete of the Week.
At the GVSU Holiday Open, the men’s and women’s teams competed in the 5000 meter.
Senior Tobias Jones led the Penguins with a fifth-place finish. He posted a time of 14:19.93. Junior Owen Brady placed 11th with a time of 14:27.95, while senior Thomas Caputo placed 12th with a mark of 14:27.95.
For the women’s team, junior Jenna Razavi placed 13th with a time of 17:29.80. All four Penguins set personal-best times at the meet.
Three runners competed in the 5000 meter at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. Fifth-year senior Hunter Christopher lowered his school record by eight seconds, posting a time of 13:38.45 and placed 41st overall.
Sophomore McKinley Fielding ran a career-best time of 16:55.23. Fielding’s time is now third fastest in school history for the indoor event.
After the university’s winter break, the team will return home at 12 p.m. Jan. 17 for the YSU College Invitational, presented by Southwoods Health.
The event will be held inside the WATTS as both the men’s and women’s teams will celebrate its seniors.
