Over the weekend, the Kent State track and field team traveled to the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, VA. The team competed all weekend among some of the top track and field programs in the country.
KSU took home several personal-best performances and succeeded in many throwing events.
To get the Flashes’ events started, graduate student Baidy Ba set a program record in the men’s 5,000-meter run, breaking the mark he set three weeks earlier. He finished in 12:47.76 for 10th place.
“That was pretty awesome,” said coach Nathan Fanger. “He’s been putting in some strong miles this past year, so it’s pretty awesome. Obviously, you want that type of momentum going into the conference season atmosphere.”
Sophomore Beau Harkelroad also recorded a personal record in the men’s 400-meter hurdles with a time of 51.81 seconds. His second-place finish is now the fourth fastest time in KSU history.
In the women’s running events, Marinna Atanmo took 11th in the 400-meter hurdles. She finished the race in 1:01.26.
Sophomore Kristen Jay continued her javelin dominance with a new personal record of 166’-2.” Meanwhile, redshirt senior Grace Adegoke matched her personal record of 5’-7.75” in the women’s high jump. Both competitors have shown continual growth and success throughout the season, especially in Charlottesville.
“When you’re in the business long enough, there are expectations, so we expect them to PR,” said Fanger. “It’s not just special for the coach, but that athlete is really working their butt off to see what they can do and see them perform the way they desire to. That’s what’s special.
Sophomore Payton Shippee recorded a sixth-place finish in the men’s javelin with a top throw of 200’-4.” His performance stood apart among a dominant group of throwers.
Redshirt senior Donovan Crawford also took ninth place in the men’s discus. With a top throw of 168’-5,” he added yet another top-10 finish in Virginia.
The squad’s performance brought some great signs for the Flashes, especially Ba’s new personal best in the 5,000-meter run. Inching towards the championships, KSU must stay focused and keep its eyes on the Mid-American Conference.
“The key component is not to overtravel, not to overtrain,” said Fanger. “Championship season really becomes staying healthy and staying in that mindset of being competitive.”
Luke Nedved is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
