Strong Performances Highlight Zips’ Efforts to Open Penn State National

Friday, January 31

University Park, Pa.

University of Akron

Penn State National

Strong Performances Highlight Zips’ Efforts to Open Penn State National

January 31 | Track & Field

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The University of Akron track and field team registered nine top-five performances in opening-night competition at the Penn State National on Friday, Jan. 31.

The Zips took the top-three spots in the men's pole vault with senior Matt Keim (Bolllivar, Ohio) capturing the victory eclipsing 16-5.25 (5.01m). Placing second and third, respectively, with identical marks of 16-1.25 (4.91m) was freshman Sebastian Martin (Santiago, Chile) and senior Tyler Fraker (Delta, Ohio).

Freshman Dimitrije Novakovic (Belgrade, Serbia) had an impressive showing in his collegiate debut registering the fourth-best mark in indoor program history in the men's triple jump, 50-9.50 (15.48m), en route to placing second in the event. The mark stands as the 30th-best effort in the NCAA this season.

The women's distance medley relay squad of seniors Haley Hess (Curtice, Ohio) and Victoria Stachowski (Waterford, Mich.), freshman Makenna Heimlich (Shelby, Ohio) and sophomore Lizzy Gurko (Northfield, Ohio) posted the 15th-fastest time in the NCAA crossing the line in 11:42.76 en route to placing third. The effort is also the third-fastest effort in the event for Akron since 2014.

Redshirt freshman Demetrius Jackson (Beachwood, Ohio) placed third in the finals of the men's 60 meters on the strength of a career-best time of 6.75, the fifth-best performance in indoor program history. He registered times of 6.81 and 6.84, respectively, in the semifinal and opening rounds.

Senior Shawnn Foster (Cheektowa, N.Y.) recorded a career-best mark of 60-5.75 (18.43m) en route to finishing fifth in the women's weight throw.

Freshman Rachael Ward (Jamestown, N.Y.) cleared 12-0.50 (3.67m) to finish fifth in the women's pole vault.

Redshirt junior Patrick Kimball (Pittsburgh, Pa.) earned an eighth-place showing in the finals of the men's 60-meter hurdles crossing the line in 8.16. He advanced to the finals with times of 8.05 and 8.16 in the semifinal and opening rounds.

Sophomore Jasmyn Allen (Twinsburg, Ohio) fell one spot shy of qualifying for the finals of the women's 60-meter hurdles after garnering a time of 8.63 in the semifinals and a 8.74 effort in the opening round.

Akron concludes competition at the Penn State National on Saturday, Feb. 1.

MEN'S FRIDAY FINAL RESULTS:
60 Meters: Demetrius Jackson (3rd-6.75); 60-Meter Hurdles: Patrick Kimball (8th-8.16); Distance Medley Relay: Jacob Ondash, Charles Sanders, Steven Ashcraft, Jeremiah Fitzgerald (5th-10:14.34); Pole Vault: Matt Keim (1st-16-5.25/5.01m), Sebastian Martin (2nd-16-1.25/4.91m*), Tyler Fraker (3rd-16-1.25/4.91m); Triple Jump: Dimitrije Novakovic (2nd-50-9.50/15.48m*); Weight Throw: Milton Wilson (15th-59-5.50/18.12m), Jacob Hutcherson (22nd-55-11/17.04m*), William Gross (24th-54-11.50/16.75m)

WOMEN'S FRIDAY FINAL RESULTS:
Distance Medley Relay: Haley Hess, Victoria Stachowski, Makenna Heimlich, Lizzy Gurko (3rd-11:42.76); Weight Throw: Shawnn Foster (5th-60-5.75/18.43m*); Pole Vault: Rachael Ward (5th-12-0.50/3.67m); Triple Jump: Zoi Balamouti (6th-39-5.25/12.02m)

MEN'S FRIDAY SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
60-Meter Hurdles: Patrick Kimball (7th-8.05), Jace Roundtree (12th-8.22); 60 Meters: Demetrius Jackson (8th-6.81), Amir Willis (11th-6.84*)

WOMEN'S FRIDAY SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
60-Meter Hurdles: Jasmyn Allen (9th-8.63)

MEN'S FRIDAY OPENING ROUND RESULTS:
60-Meter Hurdles: Patrick Kimball (11th-8.16), Jace Roundtree (14th-8.23), Garrett White (24th-8.49); 60 Meters: Demetrius Jackson (6th-6.84), Amir Willis (13th-6.88), Zarik Brown (21st-6.91*), Malcom Briley (23rd-6.93)