Five Nationals Marks Highlight Day 1 At Youngstown State

Two of the top indoor track and field teams in NCAA Division II continued to show why on Friday (Jan. 29).

The first day of the Youngstown State Mid Major Invitational was Friday, and Ashland University's men's and women's squads combined for five nationals marks for the 2021 D-II Championships, March 12-13 in Birmingham, Ala.

Ashland's men swept the podium in the weight throw. Senior Brent Fairbanks won the event, and automatically qualified for nationals in the process, at 21.00 meters/68-feet-10¾, while freshman Noah Koch was runner-up with an improved provisional distance of 19.21 meters/63-feet-0¼. Senior Cody Patterson was third at 18.46 meters/60-feet-6¾.

In the women's weight throw, junior Carrol Pauley (19.33 meters/63-feet-5) and senior Gianna DiPippo (18.54 meters/60-feet-10) went 1-2. Both marks were improved provisionals, and Pauley set a new Invitational record.

Sophomore Erin Sievers won the women's pole vault with an improved provisional mark of 3.69 meters/12-feet-1¼, while senior Amber Otermat tied for second at 3.54 meters/11-feet-7¼.

Another sophomore, Ethan Tabor, won the men's long jump (7.12 meters/23-feet-4½), while freshman Emma Liberatore was second in the women's pentathlon (3,240 points).

Ashland's men and women will be back for Day 2 of the Youngstown State Mid Major Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 30).