The Kent State track and field team competed at the Clark Wood Invitational in Louisville, in its first time competing together since April 8.

“It’s nice for the sprinters to see the distance runners, and the distance runners see the throwers, and for everybody to be able to see the jumpers,” coach Nathan Fanger said. “It was fun to get everybody back on the same page.”

The last time the team competed as a team was at the Northeast Ohio Open, hosted by the University of Akron.

In total, four Flashes earned first place in an event.

On the men’s 110 meter hurdles, junior Alex Shields recorded a personal record of 13.80 to place first in the event.

Placing first in the women’s 3000 meter steeplechase was junior Sydney Gallagher, who had a personal record of 11:09.00.

Redshirt sophomore Aliesha Shaw placed first in the women’s shot put, throwing for 14.79 meters.

Redshirt junior Scott Benco came in first place in the men’s javelin throw with a throw of 60.08 meters.

Another notable performance came from sophomore Alexandre Malanda who broke the meet record for the men’s triple jump, coming in second place with a jump of 15.57 meters.

Freshman Svenia DeConinck set a personal record of 1.75 meters and placed third in the women’s high jump.

Placing third in the men’s 800 meter run was junior Ethan Yost who posted a season best of 1:50.16.

“I think we did very well,” Fanger said. “I think we moved up in the marks for conferences, but no one really was above and beyond and went to the NCAA ranks.”

For their final meet of the regular season, the Flashes will travel to Morgantown on Saturday May 6 for the WVU Last Chance hosted by the University of West Virginia.

“This next weekend is pretty important for us,” said Fanger. “But in the same breath it’s kind of a tune up.”

Fanger said the sprinters will rest for the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships and will not compete with the team on Saturday.

Michael Neenan is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].