SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The majority of Penn State Harrisburg's men's and women's track & field teams were in action at Susquehanna's SU Invitational on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 2. Senior Jalil Clayton, however, took part in the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup at Penn State University earlier in the day before heading to Susquehanna for relay action.
Clayton was the only NCAA Division III competitor to reach the finals of the 60m hurdles at Penn State. He finished fourth in the race thanks to a time of 8.26 seconds, besting runners from schools including Division I Cornell and Binghamton, as well as Division II Shippensburg. He also combined with teammates Dominick Hogans, Jerome Jackson and Mekael Kassu to win the 4x400m relay with a time of 3:31.82.
Back at Susquehanna, Sarah Lehman continued her impressive sophomore campaign, as she was the highest Division III finisher in the triple and long jump events, as well as the 60m hurdles. She jumped 11.11 meters to earn a runner-up finish in the triple jump, while her top effort of 5.28 meters was good enough for third in the long jump. She also came home third in the hurdles after qualifying for the finals with a scamper of 9.91 seconds.
Rae Rae Taylor was also in action in the 60m hurdles and long jump. The sophomore's 9.74-second effort was the quickest of the 60m hurdle preliminary times, while her leap of 5.24 meters in the long jump was strong enough to secure fifth and earn her the best Division III finish among competitors not named Lehman.
On the men's side, Cameron Yon posted a runner-up finish in the weight throw thanks to his best toss of 15.22 meters. The senior also added a ninth-place finish in the shot in a field of 40 competitors after a throw of 13.35 meters.
Alex White had a strong showing on the jumps side. The junior recorded a runner-up finish in the high jump by leaping 1.98 meters. He was also the second-highest finishing Division III competitor in the long jump, as his effort of 6.61 meters clinched fourth place.
Hogans was the top Division III competitor in the 200m dash thanks to a run of 23.40 seconds. He also had a solid showing the 400m dash, as his scamper of 53.44 earned him a fifth-place finish. He was the second-quickest Division III runner in a field of 30 competitors.
Aiyala McPhee was quickest Division III runner in the women's 200m dash thanks to a time of 27.39 seconds; a number good enough to secure fourth overall. Teammate Neeyah Turner recorded a ninth-place finish in the 400m dash and an 11th-place finish in the 200m race. The pair also teamed up with Taylor and Sephora Senestant to set a new program record in the 4x400m relay with a combined effort of 4:29.97.
With indoor season winding down, the Lions will have one last chance to prepare for the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Championships in two weeks. Next up for the Blue & White is the Bucknell Tune-Up on Friday evening, Feb. 8.
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