Junior mid-distance runner Jeff Denove trails an opponent from Ashland University during the 4×400 track event in the fieldhouse Saturday. The Kent State men’s team placed first on both days of the Black Squirrel Classic.

Credit: Steve Schirra

The Kent State men’s and women’s track and field teams hosted the Black Squirrel Classic Saturday, in which the men placed first and the women placed fourth.

The men’s team slid by Maryland-Eastern Shore by a point, claiming victory with a score of 114, while Maryland-Eastern fell with 113 points. Buffalo took third in the meet, scoring 104.5 points.

Five Flashes received first place finishes, including Tony Jordanek, who won the 800 meters with a time of 1 minute 53.86 seconds. Bouke Onstenk took the mile run in 4 minutes and 18.08 seconds, Seth Hutchinson won the 3,000 meter run with 8 minutes and 40.18 seconds, Brent Shelby took the shot put with 59-3 1/2 and Andy Nicholas won the weight throw with toss of 62-8.

Also placing in the weight throw was Shelby, with a toss of 60-5 3/4. Shamel Smith placed second in the high jump with a 6-5 1/2 leap.

The women’s team saw two individual champions, including Jackie Rodgers, who won the pole vault with 12-11 1/2, and LeVania Henderson, who won the shot put with a toss of 46-6 3/4.

Also making top-ten finishes were Megan Blair taking second in the high jump with a height of 5-4. 1/4 and Kelly Braden taking second in the weight throw with a toss of 58-4 3/4.

The men and women’s teams will host Akron Friday in a dual meet at the Kent State Fieldhouse.

– Amanda Vasil