By Marissa Masano / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University track and field teams returned to the Watson and Tressel Training Site on Jan. 31-Feb. 1 to host the YSU Mid Major Invitational, presented by Southwoods Health.
The first day of competition saw five Penguins earn event wins. Senior Luke Laubacher set a meet record of 7.78 in the men’s long jump and ranks nationally in the top 10.
In the women’s pole vault, junior Melana Schumaker won with a clearance of 4.05 meters. Juniors Ainsley Hamsher and Gabbi Selman, along with sophomore Kaitlyn Eger, rounded out the top five for YSU.
Fifth-year Esther Solarin took first in the women’s long jump with a career-best leap of 6.03 meters. Fellow fifth-year Nia Williams-Matthews finished second with a career-best 5.91 meters.
In the women’s weight throw, fifth-year senior Lauren Sheehan won with a throw of 16.84 meters. Senior Krista Perry placed second at 16.35 meters.
On the men’s side, senior Coleson Kertesz and sophomore Ryan Tetrick finished third and fourth in the elite weight throw with marks of 15.77 and 15.65 meters, respectively.
The second day of the invitational featured two new school records as the Penguins secured eight event wins.
Sophomore McKinley Fielding broke the program record in the women’s mile, with a time of 4:48.33. The previous record of 4:51 was held by graduate student Morgan Cole.
Williams-Matthews set a school record in the women’s triple jump with a mark of 12.86 meters, while Solarin placed second at 12.74 meters.
In the women’s 60-meter hurdles, freshman Mariah Day set a meet record with a time of 8.51 seconds. She won the event ahead of freshman Ava Littler, who clocked a time of 8.53 and graduate student Emily Bee.
Freshman Olivia Mason claimed first place in the women’s shot put with a throw of 13.62 meters. Sheehan finished second at 12.82 meters. In the men’s shot put, freshman Jaden Kirkwood took first with a mark of 16.17 meters.
The Penguins swept the men’s mile, taking the top seven spots. Junior Connor Shingleton won in 4:10.81, followed by graduate student Ryan Meadows in 4:11.61. Sophomore Connor Durig secured his first collegiate title in the men’s high jump, clearing 1.98 meters.
Youngstown State will compete next at the Michigan Invitational on Feb. 8, hosted by Michigan University.
