Kent State University
Tennessee Relays
Kent State Completes Solid Day 2 of Tennessee Relays
4/9/2021 10:27:00 PM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Kent State outdoor track and field teams enjoyed solid performances throughout day two of the Tennessee Relays, earning 12 top-five performances with a few athletes moving into the program's top-10 list in their event.
It was a big day for the Golden Flashes in the vertical jumps with seven top-five finishes. Kristian Kneffler and Lukas Van Der Watt claimed second and third, respectively, in the men's pole vault. Kneffler cleared a personal-best height of 16'-10.75", climbing to fifth on Kent State's all-time performance list. Van Der Watt recorded a mark of 16'-2.75". Leah Pasqualetti continued her impressive freshman season, bringing home the silver medal in the women's pole vault with a height of 13'-3.75".
Lillie Franks kept things going in the women's high jump, clearing 5'-8" for the bronze and tying for ninth all-time at Kent State. Desiree Thomas was right behind with a height of 5'-7" for a fourth-place finish. On the men's side, Brad Jones and Gavin Schoeneman placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Jones had his best performance since the 2018 NCAA East Preliminary Round with a height of 6'-9.75". Schoeneman posted a height of 6'-6.75". Jack McElligott also had a solid day, clearing 6'-4.75" to tie for seventh.
Scott Benco broke the 200' mark in the men's javelin for the first time as a Flash, winning a silver medal with a top throw of 209'-7" for the ninth-best mark in Kent State history. Bradley Heck had a personal-best throw of 198'-11" and finished eighth.
Grace Tennant had a busy day as a result of the field events originally scheduled for Saturday being moved to Friday. Tennant captured fifth place in both the women's javelin (147'-1") and women's discus (172'-0"). Her discus PR puts her at No. 10 on Kent State's all-time performance list. Tennant also finished 11 in the women's shot put with a top throw of 50'-1.75". Gabby Bailey had a season-best shot put mark of 51'-6.50" for eighth-place.
Kent State is scheduled to send athletes to the Virginia Challenge (April 16) and Tiffin University Outdoor Invitational (April 17) next weekend.
Players Mentioned
