Ohio State
Yellow Jacket Invitational
Strong Showing for Buckeyes in First Outdoor Meet of the Season – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
March 29, 2014
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s track and field team opened the 2014 outdoor season Friday and Saturday at the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Invitational in Atlanta, Ga.
The Buckeyes’ top performance of the weekend came in the 400-meter dash, where freshman Aaliyah Barnes and sophomore SoSo Walker placed 1-2 in personal-best times of 53.34 and 53.40, respectively. Both time rank in the Top 5 in Division I so far this season.
Sophomore Alexis Franklin, the 2013 Big Ten Outdoor Freshman of the Year, was strong in her season debut, placing second in the 400-meter hurdles in a Top-20 Division I time of 59.40, just behind Danielle Hill of Auburn Elite (58.91).
Senior Bianca Walton was a standout in the field, turning in personal-best marks in both the triple and long jumps. A native of Maple Valley, Wash., Walton was third in the triple jump at 12.39 meters (40-7.75) and fourth in the long jump at 5.93 meters (19-5.50).
In the final race of the day, the 4×400-meter relay team – junior Alexandria Johnson, Walker, Franklin, and Barnes – combined for a winning time of 3:40.03. Alabama was the runner-up in 3:41.56.
Other highlights:
100m
Senior Ashlee Abraham was the runner-up in a Top-20 DI time of 11.60, just behind Anthonique Strachan of Auburn Elite (11.35). Senior Alycia Prior placed fourth in 11.65.
100m Hurdles
A time of 13.78 helped Johnson to a third-place finish. Auburn Elite’s Kimberley Laing crossed the finish line in a first-place time of 13.69.
200m
Abraham placed third in a time of 24.08 behind Sheniqua Ferguson (23.56) and Kai Selvon (23.65) of Auburn Elite.
1500m
OSU placed two athletes in the Top 4. Freshman Rachel Weber was second in 4:32.91, while junior Katie Betts was fourth in 4:34.18. Georgia State’s Niamh Kearney was first in a time of 4:32.26.
5000m
Runner-up honors went to sophomore Minori Minagawa in a time of 17:21.32. Hannah Stefanoff of Georgia State was first in 17:16.56.
Hammer Throw
Junior Carly Pendleton set a new personal best in the event with a third-place throw of 50.33 meters (165-1.00). Unattached competitior Nikola Lomnicka was the winner at 68.15 meters (223-7.00).
Discus Throw
Pendleton turned in another third-place finish with a mark of 46.04 meters (151-0.00). Auburn’s Rachel Dincoff captured first place at 49.86 meters (163-7.00).
Shot Put
Sophomore Alyssa Gary was fourth overall at 13.60 meters (44-7.50). Dincoff placed first at 15.42 meters (50-7.25).
4x100m Relay
Abraham, Sykes, Prior and senior Adenike Pedro raced to a fourth-place time of 44.97. Auburn Elite won the event in 44.30.
Up Next
OSU competes at the Battle on the Bayou in Baton Rouge, La., April 6.
