Kent State University
Akron Dual
Track and Field Hosts Akron Dual on Friday
1/18/2018 6:54:00 PM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
Meet Schedule • Heat Sheets • Live Results
The Kent State track and field program hosts the third of five home meets during the 2017-18 season Friday evening at the Kent State Field House when it competes against Akron in the annual dual meet between the rivals.
Competition begins at 5:15 p.m. with the men's long jump with the men's pole vault, women's weight throw and women's shot put all scheduled to be underway by 5:45 p.m. The women's one-mile run gets action on the track started at 6:30 p.m. The men's 4x400 relay will conclude running events at approximately 8:35 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for youth and seniors.
PREVIEWING THE FLASHES
Kent State has competed in two meets so far during the indoor season with both taking place at the Kent State Field House. The Golden Flashes returned to action after a month-long break last Saturday (Jan. 13) with the Doug Raymond Invitational.
On the men's side, four Flashes who are ranked No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference are scheduled to be in action Friday. TJ Lawson owns the conference's top mark in both the long jump (24'-4.5") and high jump (6'-11"), ranking 19th and 31st in the country, respectively. Riak Reese has the fastest 200-meter dash (21.31) in the MAC. Craig Stevens, Jr. and Jake Wickey are ranked first in their respective events. Stevens, Jr.'s mark of 50'-7.25" in the triple jump is No. 10 in the country and Wickey unleashed a toss of 66'-3" in his collegiate debut to rank 21st in the nation in the weight throw.
Gabrielle Figueroa is the lone member of the women's team who enters the weekend with the MAC's top mark. Figueroa is No. 8 nationally in the weight throw (68'-9.25"). Alyssa Matheny, Sam Tollerud and Nicole Yeargin are all ranked third in their respective events. Matheny has cleared 5'-7" in the high jump, Tollerud has cleared 13'-2.5" in the pole vault and Yeargin has clocked a 24.61 in the 200-meter dash.
FLASHBACK TO 2017
Akron swept last year's meet held at Stile Athletics Field House. The Zips' men won 82-69 and the women won 86-64.
Kent State came away with nine total event victories, including five on the women's side.
The Golden Flashes went 1-2 in the 3,000-meter run (Rachel Slingluff, Olivia Davis), shot put (Rebecca Leppelmeier, Ada Nicholson-Burley) and weight throw (Gabrielle Figueroa, Rebecca Leppelmeier). Jorian Ordway won the 200-meter dash and ran the opening leg of the victorious 4x400 relay team, which also included Chelsea Laury, Lauren Burnett and Tyler Williams.
The men also had a trio of 1-2 finishes in the meet. The Flashes claimed the top two spots in the 3,000-meter run (Brandon Avers, Clark Bookman), shot put (David Paliscak, Walter Petzel) and weight throw (Reggie Jagers III, David Paliscak). Additionally, Matthew Tobin won the 400-meter dash.
NEXT UP FOR KENT STATE
The Golden Flashes are scheduled to compete at the Findlay Classic & Elite Throws next Friday (Jan. 26) and Saturday (Jan. 27).
Players Mentioned
