There is something about the performances of the Kent State men’s and women’s track and field teams this season that has shown they have the capabilities to be a strong unit.

Friday night was no exception.

The team came out strong in day one of the Spire Invitational in Geneva, Ohio with multiple athletes finding success, including junior Hannah Fleck.

Fleck finished seventh in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2:50.10. Fleck may not have won the event, but her time put her second-best in school history.

Track and field coach Bill Lawson said not just her individual performance on Friday.

“The important thing is that she ran really well last week and then came back and ran really well this week in a different type of race,” Lawson said. “She is in a really good position to have a good close to the season.”

Junior William Barnes had a fourth place finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.68 seconds.

“It was a little chilly in the facility and he didn’t get a good lane position, but (Barnes) made it work,” Lawson said. “He is having a great year and running really well in the 200-meter dash and the hurdles.”

Junior Reggie Jagers recorded a fourth-place finish in a field of 29 in the weight throw event when he threw for a distance of 19.38 meters.

“That’s kind of where he has been throwing all year and that’s a strong, solid performance for Reggie,” Lawson said.

Senior Jackie Leppelmeier also represented the team well with a second place in the women’s weight throw event with a distance of 19.45 meters.

The team will wrap up action Saturday in the second and final day of the Spire Invitational.

Contact Andrew Bugel at [email protected].