Slippery Rock University women’s indoor track and field team had a big day at the Kent State Tune Up Saturday. It was the last meet before the upcoming Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Indoor Championships at Edinboro University. The team did just what it was asked and tuned up for the upcoming championship by placing 27 PSAC qualifying marks along with six NCAA provisional marks.
“Our girls really came out strong here at the end of the season,” Rock head coach John Papa said. “Sam Taylor had an impressive day especially this late in the season with her best jump.”
Standing out for The Rock was junior Sabrina Anderson, who placed first in the 60-meter hurdles. Anderson posted a time of 8.77 seconds which also hit one of the six provisional marks of the day. She was also able to place fourth in the high jump at a mark of 1.65 meters. Throughout this indoor season, Anderson was able to gain provisional marks in the high jump, 60-meter hurdles as well as the pentathlon.
“The girls, especially the seniors, came out and gave it their all,” Papa said. “Sabrina has a busy Saturday as she will compete in the 60 m hurdles, high jump as well as the pentathlon”
Along with Anderson, seniors Kaitlin Clark and Paige Kassab contributed career personal bests.
Clark contributed a personal-best pole vault of 3.91 meters, placing her sixth overall. She holds the eighth best leap in the nation. Kassab’s big day produced a personal best in the high jump with a clear of 1.70 meters, placing second at Kent State.
Keeping pace on her goals this season was senior Jasmine Bailey who placed second in the 200-meter dash at 24.88 seconds. This was another provisional mark for The Rock women at the event. She was able to finish sixth in the 60-meter dash at a time of 7.80 seconds. Senior Sam Taylor contributed her own big day with her best leap of the season at 11.64 meters in the triple jump, a fourth place NCAA provisional mark for her.
The team also had other top-ten finishers in Saturday’s event. Sophomore Sophie Mazza took ninth in the 60-meter hurdles at a time of 9.10 seconds. Senior Jenny Picot and graduate senior Leah Anne Wirfel took fourth and sixth place in the mile at times of 5:05:28 and 5:08:16. Sophomore Katie Teed took sixth place in the 400-meter dash at 59.55 seconds. Sophomore Maria Darling placed seventh in the pole vault at 3.31 meters. Sophomore Caitlyn Janeda wrapped up the top-ten finishers with a time of 2:21:43 in the 800-meter dash.
The women’s throwers with qualifying marks were sophomore Anna Frengel and junior Kelci Yale. Frengel would place 13th in the shot put with a throw of 12.29 meters. Yale took 18th in this event with a toss of 11.81 meters. Yale would take 22nd place in the weight throw at 13.59 meters.
“This season has shown a lot of signs of strength late in the season, I believe our girls are up for anything,” Papa said. “They will be facing a lot of competition, but we will be out to give it everything we got.”
The team will be set for action at the PSAC Championships Feb. 27 and 28.
