LEWISBURG, Pa. – Indiana University of Pennsylvania opened its indoor track and field season with a series of top-10 performances, highlighted by senior multi-event standout Renee Simmonds, who won the women's pentathlon at the Bucknell Bison Opener on Friday and Saturday.
Simmonds totaled 3,102 points to take the event, finishing first in the shot put (12.03 meters) and adding top-four marks in the hurdles, high jump and long jump. She also placed 11th in the open shot put with a throw of 10.95 meters.
On the track, freshman Sterlene Scott posted IUP's top sprint performance of the weekend, running 7.84 seconds in the 60-meter dash prelims to tie for 10th in a field of nearly 50 sprinters. Emma Laughlin finished close behind in 7.95.
In the hurdles, Bryna Kelly advanced to finals with an 8.95 preliminary time before finishing seventh overall.
The Crimson Hawks also earned several solid mid-distance results. Cailey Trosch ran 1:04.08 in the 400, placing 10th, and freshman Alyssa Hoover opened her collegiate career with a 13th-place finish in the 800 (2:30.93). Sarah Pidcoe followed in 1:07.58 in the 400.
In field events, IUP landed four top-20 finishes in the long jump. Nataiah Robertson led the group with a ninth-place leap of 5.09 meters. Maura Penrod (4.91) and Hannah Yeykal (4.80) also scored top-20 placements. In the pole vault, Jenna Wilt cleared 3.25 meters to tie for eighth.
In the triple jump, sophomore Jahnaya Wimberley placed fourth with a mark of 11.09 meters, while Sara Dewyer (9.82) and Ava Blair (9.56) added depth for the Hawks.
On the men's side, Alex Amador recorded IUP's top individual track finish, taking fifth in the 800 meters in 2:00.23. Gabe Pacyna (2:02.07), Gavin McGinn (2:06.42) and Jason Clifford (2:09.16) helped IUP place four runners inside the top 20.
In the sprints, Demitrius Carter ran 7.18 in the 60-meter dash prelims, while Donovan Ellis clocked 7.20. Antonio Harrison placed 26th in the 200 with a time of 23.80.
Hurdler Zach Debose narrowly missed the 60-meter hurdle final after finishing ninth in the prelims in 8.67. Freshman Gabriel Olaniyi followed in 9.66.
The men also produced a trio of 3,000-meter efforts, led by Anthony Solis, who ran 9:56.65, and throwers who contributed multiple entries in the shot and weight fields.
IUP will continue its indoor schedule next weekend as the Crimson Hawks prepare for the full PSAC slate leading into championship season.
