Wesleyan track and field teams set 23 personal records at Youngstown State

WVWC Sports Information
February 6, 2024

YOUNGSTOWN — At the Youngstown State University Mid Major Invitational this past weekend (Feb. 3), the West Virginia Wesleyan College men’s and women’s track teams scored 23 personal records and set four season-best efforts.

The women were once again headlined by Samantha Cash’s performance in the pentathlon with a conference leading 3,438 points. This gives Cash the an NCAA Division 2 provisional and ranks her 29th in the country.

Ayanna Woods had a big day, setting her personal best in the 60-meter with a 7.94, the 60-meter hurdles with a 9.70, and the 200-meter with a 26.60.

Abby McDonough made her debut in a Wesleyan uniform in the pole vault with a vault of 3.01 meters (9’10.5″) for a fourth place ranking in the MEC.

The men were led by strong performances from Royell Salmon in the 200-meter, running a 22.20, and jumping 6.55 meters (21’6″), both season bests.

Destry Nelson and Jeremiah Zelinski had personal best performances in the Heptathlon. Nelson (ranked fifth in the MEC) scored 3,623 points with personal best performances in the 60-meter hurdles and the 1,000-meter. Zelinski (ranked eigth in the MEC) competed in his first-ever heptathlon and put together a score of 2,893 points with personal bests in the 60-meter, 60-meter hurdles, 1,000-meter, high jump, and pole vault.

The distance runners picked up seven season or personal bests.

For the women, Dakota Johnson scored a big win in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:18. Sofia Pancoast ran a lifetime personal record of 2:27.

Evan Pyles led the way on the men’s side with a personal record of 8:45 in the 3,000-meter. He was followed by Anthony Sanders who ran a season best 5,000-meter with a time of 15:31.

The WVWC throws group had an excellent weekend as well with eight out of 12 athletes achieving either a new personal or season best.

Samya Tuggle threw for 13.24 meters in the weight throw and 10.22 meters in the shot put. Personal bests were also set in the shot put by Shellie Baughman (10.92m), Jacqualin Leaman (10.61m), Mallory McGinnis (10.35m) and Samya Tuggle (10.22m).

The men’s crew was led by a trio of freshmen who achieved personal bests. Marcus Adebayo threw 13.70 meters in the weight throw, and Miles Kidwell and Tyree Archer followed with personal bests of 13.95 meters and 13.56 meters in the shot put.