This past week, the Kent State track team competed in North Carolina State University’s Raleigh Relays meet. The competition was highlighted by record-breaking performances and several top-ten finishes among the Flashes.

On Thursday, graduate student Baidy Ba got things started for the Flashes with a record-breaking 5,000-meter run. He finished in 13:59.99, breaking the previous record by more than six seconds. 

Sophomore thrower Kristen Jay also had a record-breaking day, cracking the top KSU javelin throwers with a 158’-10” throw which placed her in ninth all-time and third at the meet.

Freshman Matilde Morbin finished in 12th place in the javelin with a throw of 142’-9” in her collegiate debut. 

On Friday senior Lanee Hall placed fifth in the women’s triple jump, while senior Keeli Dunaway placed sixth. Hall reached 40’-5,” and Dunaway’s longest attempt was 40’-3.25”. 

Three runners placed in the top ten in the 100-meter dash. Junior Amryne Chilton came in at 11.61 seconds, placing eighth for the women.

Meanwhile, junior Sean Callahan Jr. also placed eighth for the men with a personal record time of 10.40 seconds. Freshman Jacob Stanley finished close behind with a time of 10.42 seconds and a ninth-place finish. 

Senior Karsyn Spears ran a personal best time of 4:29.28, finishing in eighth in the women’s 1500-meter run. Her performance granted her a top 10 ranking in Kent State’s all-time performances. 

Redshirt sophomore Ainhoa Reparaz Sanchez came in at 11.84 seconds in the women’s 100m. She claimed a top 10 finish in the meet and another top 10 performance in school history. 

Other contributors on Friday included redshirt seniors Grace Adegoke and redshirt Donovan Crawford. Adegoke, the high jumper, cleared 5’-5.75” while Crawford threw an amazing mark of 156’-4” in the men’s discus event.

On Saturday, the Flashes finished strong with a key relay performance and several other strong individual events. 

The 4×400-meter relay team posted a strong race, coming in third with a time of 45.84 seconds. The team was made up of junior Yissis Cortijo Dominc, Reparaz Sanchez, sophomore Laila Eiland and Chilton.

On the men’s side, sophomore Beau Harkelroad clocked in at 53.62 seconds for 14th in the 400-meter hurdles.

Freshman Luigi Case jumped to 23’-9” in the men’s long jump, while senior Amare Hall’s jump was recorded at 23’-3.50.”

Setting a personal record, junior Zavion Mattox ran in the men’s 200-meter dash and recorded a time of 21.08 seconds for a ninth-place finish.

Sophomore sprinter Laila Eiland clocked in at 24.25 seconds in the women’s 200-meter dash, placing 17th.

In the women’s hammer throw, redshirt junior Kennedy Landrus placed 19th with a mark of 170’-6”.

Junior Alexa Nestor in the women’s long jump also took home 19th with a jump of 18’-3.75”.

Solid performances were had all around by the Flashes in Raleigh. Next week, they will travel to Slippery Rock for the Dave Labor Invitational. They will compete on Friday and Saturday.

Luke Nedved is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].