Last Friday, Jan. 22 Kent State track and field traveled to the Stile Field House in Akron for the second time this season to face the University of Akron and the University at Buffalo in a tri-meet.

The Flashes had athletes place across many events, but the team’s throwing was very strong.

A trio of Kent sophomores took the top three spots in the women’s weight throw, with Grace Luther taking first with a throw of 54 feet four inches, while Marissa Henley (51’ 09”) finished second and Brianna Wright (50’ 04”) in third.

In the men’s weight throw, senior Jack Wickley won the event while also taking the second spot all-time in the Kent State record books with a throw of 72 feet 11 inches.

Also throwing well was the women’s shot put team, which took first and second place. Senior Grace Tennant won the event with a throw of 52 feet 5.5 inches and junior Gabby Bailey (51’ 11”) finished second.

Another Flash who moved his way up the all-time rankings was freshman Alexander Shields. Shields set a personal best of 8.12 seconds in the 60 meter hurdle to win the event and take the ninth fastest 60 meter hurdle time in KSU history.

Senior Jacob Mally followed Shields with an 8.30 to finish second in the 60 meter hurdles.

Kent also won the women’s 60 meter hurdles behind senior Mi’Angel Daniels’ time of 8.94.

The Flashes were dominant in both the 60 and 200 meter dash, with junior Asa Hodrick winning both races with times of 6.83 and 21.66 seconds respectively. 

Kent swept the top three in the 200 meter with freshman Dejon Manning finishing second (21.80) and junior Jaheim Jones rounding out the top three (21.83). Jones also took second in the 60 meter (6.89).

The men’s long distance sprinters also placed in the 400 meter and 400 meter relay. Sophomore Justin Dwyer took second in the 400 meter (49.11) and junior Korie Davis II finished third (49.93). Dwyer and Davis II were joined by sophomores Jonathon Solomon and Quintin Cooks on a relay team that finished second.

Freshman Leah Pasqualetti already cracked into the record book in her debut. A 13’ 0.25” pole vault was enough to earn her second place at the meet and seventh place all-time for Kent State.

Two other freshmen placed in sprints, with Lauren Hadley finishing third in the 60 meter with a time of 7.93 seconds and Aminah Claxton running a 1:00.62 in the 400 meter to also finish third.

Kent State will return to the Stile Field House next week for the Akron Invitational on Feb. 5 and 6.

Owen MacMillan is sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].