State College, PA – The UMBC track and field team recorded multiple top ten performances on Saturday, with half of the squad at the Penn State National Invitational, and the other half at the George Mason Patriot Games.
In State College, the women were led by sophomore Kaya Knake took home gold in the 800m, crossing the line in 2:11.53. This time was her second best all-time in this event. Along Knake, classmate Bridgett Redding ran her eighth best time (3:01.91) in the 1,000m to finish in seventh.
The 4x400 relay team of Funmi Daramola, Tori Johnson, Collese Daley, and Yinki Alabi placed sixth with a time 3:53.50. Johnson also recorded an eighth-place finish in the 500m dash, clocking in at 1:16.98.
Junior Amani Wallace crossed the line in 25.68 in the 200m dash to finish in tenth.
In Fairfax, the women were led in the field by senior Zoya Trendafilova, who cleared a height of 1.55m in the high jump to earn the silver in the event. In the weight throw, classmate Ricca Graham finished in fourth place after a throw of 13.27m, while sophomore Elisabeth Kan placed sixth in the triple jump with a distance of 9.42m.
Rounding out the women for the day was sophomore Cecilia Davies who earned a top five finish in the 500m dash with a time of 1:24.39.
Freshman Taylor Baranoski led the charge for the men at Penn State, receiving the silver in the mile run, crossing the line in 4:14.92. This was Baranoski's personal record in this event. In the mile run invite, senior Ifa Eado ran a time of 4:10.42 to place sixth.
Senior John Oputa earned fourth place in the 400m dash with a time of 49.67, while classmate James Oakley earned a seventh-place finish in the 200m dash invite with a time of 21.96.
At George Mason, sophomore Michael Parkent led the way for the Retrievers, earning bronze in the weight toss with a distance of 15.24m. Along with Parkent, freshman Donald Duncan finished in fifth in the 60m dash with a time of 7.14.
The Retrievers will return to action next weekend back in State College, Pa. when they participate in the two-day Sykes and Sabock Challenge on February 2-3.
