Track Heads to Slippery Rock With Nationals in Sight

McKeesport, PA. – With the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Track & Field National Championships just three weeks away, every meet becomes that much more important as athletes across the country are looking to qualify. For the Penn State Greater Allegheny Track & Field team, they look to continue their journey to nationals when they head to the Slippery Rock Dave Labor Invitational on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Coming off of a strong performance at the Cal-U Early Bird Invitational, there were performers all-around for PSUGA standing out on both the track and field side of the events. It was the first event of the season where all 13 of head coach Greg Schmitt’s athletes saw action and many made a strong case for a bid to the National Championships.

On the field side, Raeann Sleith (North Huntington, PA./Norwin HS) led the pack for the throwers finishing 28^th in Women’s Shot Put with a throw of 7.19 meters, the best on the day for any PSUGA competitor male or female. The junior was competing in the event for the first time ever and beat her practice throw distances by nearly a whole meter putting herself in a strong position for a National Qualifying bid. Jesse Vargo (North Huntington, PA./Norwin HS) also made an impact in his first action of the season finishing 24^th in the Men’s Long Jump with a distance of 5.10 meters.

On the track, Namy Makiese (Pittsburgh, PA./Allderdice HS), Makis Rivera (Pittsburgh, PA./Imani Christian Academy), and Eladia Kennedy (Pittsburgh, PA./Imani Christian Academy) each shined winning their heats in there events. Makiese competed in both the 400-Meter and the 200-Meter race, and won his heat with a time of 59.37 finishing 33^rd overall. Rivera picked up another personal victory for the PSUGA squad three events later posting a time of 2:09.27 in the 800-Meter winning his heat and finishing 24^th overall. Kennedy rounded out the day with a win in her heat in the 200-Meter where she finished 20^th with a time of 29.02.

It was a strong showing for Schmitt and his team as they continue to push towards the USCAA Nationals, which will take place on Saturday April 27^th. Schmitt is confident that his athletes are going to make an impact in the team’s first season and he wants them to continue to push forward down the stretch.

The Slippery Rock Dave Labor Invitational will feature athletes from all across the spectrum of NCAA Division I, II, and III athletes giving PSUGA a chance to see some tough competition. The events will begin at 9 a.m. on the track and 10 a.m. for the field events. The track will begin with the 10,000-Meter Mixed Race while the field events will start with the women’s hammer throw and men’s discus.

The invitational will take place at Mihalik-Thompson stadium on the Slippery Rock University Campus beginning at 9 a.m.