The Kent State track and field team participated in its first split-squad meet of the spring season, with part of the team traveling to Akron for the Northeast Ohio Open, while another group set out for the Spec Town Invitation at the University of Georgia.

In Akron, the Flashes saw some success on both the men’s and the women’s sides of the team.

Freshman Camille Dunifer and graduate student Destiny Nash both took home victories, with Dunifer crossing the 800-meter run finish line in 2:17.57. Freshman Ana Fernandez Moiron took second with a time of 2:19.95.

“There were a couple of good performances across the board,” said coach Nathan Fanger. “Dunifer did pretty good for a rainy meet.”

Nash, on the other hand, won the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:06.59. 

Sophomore Beau Harkelroad made the podium in both men’s hurdle races, finishing second in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.15 seconds and third in the 110-meter hurdles with 14.59 seconds. 

Freshman Jack Dillen took second place in the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.52 seconds.

In Georgia, the Flashes had some success among a talented group of teams and competitors. 

“The reason why we do split meets sometimes is because if we were to take the whole team down there, we’re probably not going to get the competition we need,” said Fanger. “The sprinters and jumpers need that warmth, need that competitive atmosphere.”

Sophomore Linkon Tyrrell racked up 6,721 points to place fourth in his first decathlon of the season. His top event was the 100-meter dash as he finished in 11.27 seconds, adding 801 points to his total.

Senior Matilde Carboncini led the Flashes in the heptathlon with 5,091 points and an eighth-place finish. Junior Alexa Nestor also recorded 4,772 points in a 12th-place finish and a personal record.

In the men’s long jump, freshman Luigi Case recorded a season best with 24’-.25” and a seventh-place finish. Senior Amare Hall took eighth with a jump of 23’-1.25.”

Redshirt junior Marinna Atanmo took ninth in the women’s 400-meter hurdles. She recorded a personal-best time of 1:00.26, making her the eighth fastest in program history.

The men’s 200-meter dash also saw strong performances from junior Sean Callahan Jr., freshman Chaz Sakala, and junior Zavion Mattox. They took places 11th, 12th, and 13th with times of 21.35 seconds, 21.39 seconds and 21.40 seconds, respectively.

The Flashes breaking the program’s 4×100-meter record was the highlight of the meet; the team of Callahan Jr., Sakala, sophomore Ryan Gruss and sophomore Micah Coates won the event in 39.68 seconds.

“If you put our four-by-four team in the mix with some of those schools down there, it’s just another level,” said Fanger. “I’m glad they got that opportunity to go there.”

The women’s 4×100 meter relay team, consisting of junior Yissis Cortijo Dominc, redshirt sophomore Ainhoa Reparaz Sanchez, sophomore Laila Eiland and junior Amryne Chilton, took third place and marked the second fastest time in program history with 45.15 seconds.

Reparaz Sanchez took the second-fastest 100-meter dash time in program history in her 12th-place finish with a recorded a time of 11.64 seconds.

Freshman Casey Musgrave finished the women’s 400-meter dash in 54.15 seconds, ranking sixth in Kent State history.

The squad took three of the top four spots in the men’s 100-meter dash. Freshman Jacob Stanley took first in 10.55 seconds, while Callahan Jr. placed third with a time of 10.67 seconds. Finally, Sakala placed fourth with 10.70. 

Redshirt senior Gabrielle Hammonds finished fifth in the women’s 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.97 seconds.

Senior Lanee Hall was the only field event competitor on Saturday; she placed fifth in the women’s triple jump with a top jump of 42’-4.” Her performance is now fifth in program history.

“Lanee Hall had a huge jump,” said Fanger. “If she did that at the regional championships, she would probably go to the NCAA championships.”

After having 38 athletes named to the academic All-MAC indoor team, the KSU team demonstrated its dominance on the track and in the classroom.

“Kudos to Amy Densevich and Chelsea Tizio, both of whom are in the back scenes for the track and field program, Amy being our academic counselor and making sure kids stay on their grades,” said Fanger. “It is pretty special when you have such a big team that you’ve got a large amount of athletes getting 4.0s, 3.8s, and 3.5s. So, yeah, I’m super proud.”

After several strong performances in both Akron and Georgia, the Flashes will next travel to the Virginia Challenge, hosted by the University of Virginia. They will compete on April 17 and 18.

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