Most results invalid due to weather; several qualify for NCAA regional

Freshman Shamel Smith competes in the high jump during this weekend’s meet at the University of Akron.

Credit: Joshua Echt

Only one thing stopped Kent State from winning the Akron Quad: Mother Nature.

Winter weather wreaked havoc on the Kent State track team’s results Saturday, rendering most of the meet’s scores ineligible for school records or NCAA regional-qualifying marks.

A wintry mix of rain and sleet forced the Akron Quad to take place indoors, nullifying Kent State’s 15 individual victories over Ashland, Akron and Youngstown State.

Team scoring was yet to be determined as of yesterday afternoon. Running events will not count. However, throwing event marks will count toward the record book because the throwing events took place outdoors as scheduled.

Senior Breann Smith and freshman Jaroslaw Zakrzewski led the Flashes’ throwwing efforts, with Smith winning the shot put and discus and Zakrzewski taking top honors in the hammer throw.

Smith also finished second in the javelin with a NCAA-qualifying mark of 142-3.

Senior Julie Ward won the javelin with a 142-4 throw, while junior Jackie Rodgers vaulted 12-5.5, winning the pole vault. Senior Colleen Ramharak swept the triple jump and long jump.

On the track, senior Erin Anderson and junior Dominika Stokowska won the 1500 meters and 300-meter hurdles, respectively.

Anderson’s run of 4:38.51 and Stowkoska’s 43.31-second sprint in the hurdles were indoor school record times.

Senior Otis Jordan won two of six individual titles, winning the 100- and 200-meter dash. Sophomore Matt Bailey won the 400 meters, while sophomore Jake Haughn won the 3000 meters.

Senior Marc Mitchell’s jump of 25-0.50 in the long jump moved him to third place all-time on the indoor list.

Kent State heads to Philadelphia and Des Moines Friday and Saturday to compete in the 111th Franklin Relays and the Drake Relays, respectively.

Contact track and field reporter Josh Echt at [email protected].