Numerous Personal Bests Highlight Track and Field's Performance at Ashland
4/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
ASHLAND, Ohio - Seniors Effua Ampadu and Anthony Connor, redshirt junior Matthew Pfleger and freshman Nate Scales all recorded personal bests in their respective events at the 2010 Ashland Alumni Open Saturday (April 24) in Ashland, Ohio.
"The Ashland Alumni Open gave us opportunity to compete athletes that didn't travel to the Penn or Drake Relays and get even more experience. We had some good results on the day," said Director of Track and Field/CC Bill Lawson.
Pfleger took part in the hammer throw elite event, taking sixth with a throw of 208'-05" (63.52 meters), the 20th-best mark in the country this season. Unattached runners in the event took the top four places.
Connor took second in the discus throw with a personal best mark and the eighth-best throw in school history at 177' (53.03 meters). Ampadu took fourth in the hammer with a throw of 177-02 (54.01 meters), the fifth-best mark in school history.
Also among PR's, Scales took third in the 100 meters with a time of 10.68, 0.15 better than his previous mark. Senior Steve McLean took fourth in the 400 hurdles with a Kent State-best time of 53.89, 0.7 faster than his previous time.
"Nathan was able to PR in the 100 meters despite the less than ideal conditions with the weather. He just continues to get stronger as the season goes on," Lawson said. "McLean continues to better every time out and continues to get better every week."
The women's 4x400 meter relay team of senior Juliet Alrich, sophomores Katoria Carter and Danielle Doughrety and freshman Tiera Royal took the title in a time of 3:52.44. Junior Mike Schober took the men's high jump title, clearing the bar at 6'-07.50" (2.02 meters).
All winners set facility records, as this is the first meet at Ashland's Dwight Schar Athletic Complex.
Finally, juniors Ava Haynes and Shavae Wright took a pair of seconds in the 100 hurdles and the 100 meters, respectively. Haynes finished in 14.42 while Wright crossed the line in 12.24.
"It was a good meet and we are just getting more experience to be ready for the MAC Championships in Buffalo in three weeks," Lawson added.
The Kent State track and field teams return to action next Friday and Saturday (April 30-May 1) at the Jesse Owens Track Classic in Columbus, Ohio.
