Kent State University
Golden Flash Gala
Lawson Smashes Heptathlon Record Saturday at Golden Flash Gala
12/9/2017 9:30:00 PM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
KENT, Ohio – Six Kent State athletes took top honors in their events on Saturday to bring the two-day total to seven individual titles at the season-opening Golden Flash Gala inside of the Kent State Field House.
After setting four personal-bests on Friday, TJ Lawson put the finishing touches on a record-breaking heptathlon performance with stellar marks in the final three events. Lawson totaled 5,865 points, which ranks second nationally. In addition to breaking his own school record of 5,666 that was set at the Akron Invitational last February, Lawson surpassed the Kent State Field House record that was set by Buffalo's Mike Morgan at the 2014 Mid-American Conference Championships. He started the day by clocking a personal-best 8.32 to win the 60-meter hurdles and then cleared 15'-01.00" to tie for first in pole vault. Lawson closed the day with a 2:51.41 in the 1,000-meter run for second place.
Two other Flashes placed in the top five of the heptathlon. Ryan Looser, who also cleared 15'-01.00" to tie Lawson in the pole vault, took fourth place with 5,063 points. Freshman Jacob Mally put his name in the Kent State record with 4,993 points, which is good for ninth in school history.
Players Mentioned
