Point Park’s track and field traveled to State College to participate in the Sykes & Sabock Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Penn State University. Both teams led successful events, with multiple athletes breaching school records and placing in the top 10 of their respective events. 

The women had a strong all-around performance, with five participants reaching top three spots in the school record books and one breaking a school record.  

Diamond Rush, a junior specializing in sprints/hurdles, had a strong showing in two events. In the 60-meter race, Rush continued to hold the second-fastest time in school history with a time of 8.01 seconds. Rush broke the school record in the 200-meter with a time of 25.35 that placed her eighth in the race.  

Allison Plassio, a mid-distance graduate runner, ran the third-fastest mile performance in school history with a time of 5:12.91.  

Jana Schmid, a senior distance runner, placed 12th in the 800 with a time of 2:19.87 – the third fastest time in school history.  

Cassondra O’Connor also got the third fastest time in school history with her performance in the 3000, where she placed sixth with a time of 10:04.86.  

The 4×400 relay was ran by Rush, Paige Marnell, Casey Colcombe and Mya Greschner. They placed seventh overall and second fastest in school history with a time of 4:02.78. 

Lastly, Dunya Van den Tooren tied for fifth place in the high jump with a height of 1.68 meters — which is approximately 5’6’’. This is the second longest in school history. 

“It was a long time ago that I jumped my previous personal record. It feels good that I am back at, and even above, my old level,” Pioneer Dunya Van den Tooren said. “Now I see [meets] as something I could learn from if I were to fail, which takes away some pressure and adds more fun to it!” 

The men also proved to have a successful performance with six top 10 finishes and one performance breaching the top five best in school history.  

In the 60-meter, first-year Kamar Sutherland and sophomore Akeem Mustapha continue to hold their second and fourth place records for fastest performances in school history, respectively. Sutherland placed ninth with a time of 8.52 and Mustapha placed 11th with a time of 8.60.  

Mustapha proceeded to place 10th in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.05 and tied for ninth in the high jump with 1.95 meters — which is approximately 6’4’’. 

Chase Bowen, a first-year distance runner, placed 18th in the 800 with a time of 1:59.21 – the fifth-fastest time in school history.  

“I feel fairly happy with [my performance], it’s a season best for me and built my confidence back up in the 800 after having some rough ones,” Bowen said. “I’m on the edge for making conference in the mile and 800 so I’m hoping to run some good times so that I can clinch a spot for at least one.”   

Luke McKenna placed 18th in the 3000 with a time of 8.52.92. McKenna currently holds the second-fastest record in school history from a previous race.  

In the long jump, Michael Quigley placed seventh with 6.68 meters, and Maxwell Goode placed 11th with 6.44 meters.  

Finally, Joshua Maurer and Emmanuel Akpoli placed well in the 600. Maurer placed ninth with a time of 1:27.15 and Akpoli placed 10th with 1:32.44.  

Point Park’s track and field teams are set to participate in the Spire Collegiate Indoor Games in Geneva, Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 15.