Kent State University
Akron Invitational
Women’s Hurdlers Shine at Akron Invitational
2/20/2026 8:59:00 PM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
AKRON, Ohio – Kent State athletes took the top three spots in the women's 60-meter hurdles while all recording personal-best times that rank in the top eight in program history during competition at the Akron Invitational on Friday.
Gabrielle Hammonds won the 60m hurdles in 8.35 seconds, which is the best time in the Mid-American Conference this season and second fastest in Golden Flashes history. Keeli Dunaway placed second with a time of 8.58 seconds that puts her eighth in school history. Alexa Nestor finished third in 8.78 seconds in the finals, but clocked in at 8.45 seconds during the prelims for the fifth fastest time in Kent State history.
Camille Dunifer won both women's mid-distance races and ran the 10th fastest mile time (4:55.36) in program history. Dunifer returned to the track and clocked a season-best time of 2:11.25 in the 800-meter run later in the evening.
Baidy Ba was victorious in his first 800m race of the season and crossed the finish line in 1:53.67.
Zavion Mattox had a big night in the men's short sprints. Mattox won the 200-meter dash with an indoor PR of 21.44 seconds, beating the conference leader in the process. He also ran a PR in the 60-meter dash prelims (6.88) and finished fourth in the finals (6.90).
The final Flash to win an event was Dylan Buffum, who took first in the men's triple jump with a mark of 43'-8".
Kent State will return to action at the 2026 MAC Indoor Championships in Mount Pleasant, Michigan on Feb. 27-28
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