Nationally-Ranked AU Men, Women Have Successful Day 1 At Kent State

Ashland University's No. 12-ranked men and No. 21-ranked women competed on Friday (Jan. 26) in the first day of Kent State's Doug Raymond National Qualifier indoor track and field meet, and came away with multiple marks toward the 2024 NCAA Division II Championships, March 8-9 in Pittsburg, Kan..
 
Winning and improving upon her previous provisional mark for nationals was junior Sarah Masuoka, who had Friday's top women's pole vault mark of 3.90 meters/12-feet-9½. Finishing second with nationals marks were freshman Matthew Noel in the men's high jump (new provo, 2.05 meters/6-feet-8¾), junior Brock Janowicz in the men's weight throw (improved provo, 19.48 meters/63-feet-11), and redshirt freshman Hailey Rios in the women's long jump (new provo, 5.72 meters/18-feet-9¼).
 
Placing third and earning a new provo in the women's weight throw was junior Kaylyn Barnette, whose top heave of 17.49 meters/57-feet-4 makes her the fourth AU women's thrower to provo in the weight throw so far this season.
 
Freshman Kara Fields earned a new provo in the women's pentathlon, placing ninth with 3,289 points.
 
Taking second place was freshman Allie Dunlap in the women's pole vault (3.64 meters/11-feet-11¼), while sophomore Abby Wheeler was third in the women's high jump (1.60 meters/5-feet-3).
 
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The second and final day of the Doug Raymond National Qualifier on Saturday (Jan. 27), starting at 10:30 a.m..