Track and Field heats up during cold meet

From March 26, 2022

Conditions were not perfect to say the least for the Waynesburg University track and field teams’ competition at the Bethany Invitational.

“I thought the meet was very interesting because of the weather,” senior captain Monica Kolencik said. “I think people surprised themselves despite the poor weather conditions.”

Despite cold, windy and snowy weather, both teams enjoyed success throughout the day. The women’s team placed third out of 14 teams and the men’s team finished fifth out of 12 schools. Both teams finished second out of division three teams in attendance.

Kolencik saw benefits from the team competing amidst the winter-like weather.

“I think that it teaches us grit, work through that, and don’t give up,” Kolencik said. “With outdoor track weather being unpredictable we don’t know what our PAC [meet] will look like, we don’t know what other days will look like.”

She was one of the many members of the women’s team that reaped rewards from not giving up and working through the conditions thrown at them. Kolencik finished third in the 5000-meter run.

“I was very surprised with where I placed overall,” Kolencik said. “I was content with my performance, but looking to still improve.”

Even with a combined 31 top-eight finishes from both teams, Kolencik still sees growth for her team moving forward.

“There’s a lot of potential for improvement,” Kolencik said. “We’re not the kind of team that gives up.”

Michaela Rose arguably has been the top competitor on the women’s team and was potentially again at the meet. Rose finished first in the 200-meter dash and fourth in the 100-meter dash.

Sticking with the sprinters, the women’s 4×400 meter relay team consisting of Ivy Allen, Cameron Frame, Rachel Pellegrino, and Maggie Stains came in second. The men’s team finished fifth in the same race and their 4×100 meter relay team came in fourth.

Kai Herbert found success in a little bit of everything for Waynesburg. He ran in the 4×100 meter relay, finished fourth in the 110-meter hurdles, sixth in the high jump, and eighth in the 200 meter-dash.

The field events featured arguably the most impressive performances on Saturday, fighting against the adverse conditions.

Senior Jerry Farelli earned second in the javelin, Isaac Huey and Joshua Panizales followed his lead with fourth and fifth-place finishes. On the women’s side, Megan Barry claimed the same place in the same event as Farelli, and Lana Jordan came in right behind her.

Rebecca Dolce dominated as usual with bronze finishes in the shot put and discus throw. Aidan Sheely and Garrett Hillard placed third and fourth in the shot put throw as well.

Hopping over to the jumpers, Kat Henderson paved the Yellow Jackets’ way for success with a second-place finish in the high jump and fifth in the triple jump.

Nolan Curran vaulted his way to a fourth-place finish in the pole vault.

The Yellow Jackets travel to Slippery Rock on Saturday to compete in the Dave Labor Invitational.

Full results of the meet can be found here: https://results.kandjtiming.com/meets/12193/teams/343006