The Slippery Rock University women’s track and field team hosted the Dave Labor Invitational this past weekend. It was another big weekend for the team in regards to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifying marks.
The team earned a total of 16 marks on the day along with eight first-place finishes.
“Conditions were not favorable but we were still able to have outstanding performances, the 4 x 100 did a really nice job,” Rock head coach John Papa said. “This Sunday we are hoping for better conditions at IUP but might not be looking too favorable in regards to the weather.”
Taking home yet another first place finish in her undefeated season was senior Sam Taylor in the javelin. Her heave of 41.89 meters would earn her the victory in the event. Papa was impressed with Taylor’s outing because she still won the event despite withdrawing from the rest of the competition due to a back injury.
In the 100-meter dash, senior Jasmine Bailey took first place handily with a time of 12.36 seconds. Bailey would also compete in another victory performance with team members, junior Kennedy Evans, freshman Jaiah Williams and graduate student Katelyn Wetzel in the 4 x 100-meter relay.
The relay team won the race with a time of 48.81 seconds. Evans would also go on to win the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.13.
In the 4 x 400 meter relay, the team of senior Casundra Swartzburg and sophomores Katie Teed, Josette Dawson and Aerial Dukes would win the event with a time of 4:14.29.
In the distance events, senior Jennie Picot would dominate the 10,000-meter race with a time of 37:59.88.
“In the 10,000 meter Shannon Byerley and Jennie Picot did a really nice job,” Papa said.
Seniors Ashley West and Paige Kassab were also able to pick up wins in their field events. West took care of business with a first-place finish in the high jump with a clearance of 1.63 meters, she would also take second in the long jump with a leap of 5.25 meters. Kassab won the long jump event at 5.32 meters.
Sophomore Maria Darling would take second place in the pole vault with her leap of 3.25 meters.
Saturday’s event was the first of three home meets for The Rock. Next week the team will be split with athletes heading to the Liberty Invitational on April 8 and 9.
The rest of the team will compete at a PSAC event at Indiana University (Pa.) on April 10.
