Pitt
YSU Icebreaker
Track and Field Captures Eight Event Titles and Sets Three Meet Records in Season Opener
12/1/2023 10:39:00 PM | Track & Field
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The University of Pittsburgh men's and women's track and field teams opened their 2023-2024 indoor campaign Friday afternoon with many dominant performances, capturing eight event titles and setting three meet records.
The first event winner of the day was Lydia Bottelier, who took home first place in the women's high jump with a mark of 1.75m. Teammate Eva Baldursdottir came in third place in the event, clearing 1.66m.
In the women's 60m dash, senior Ilse Steigenga, sophomore Success Duruzor, and freshman Somiyah Braggs advanced to the finals, with Somiyah Braggs prevailing in her collegiate debut with a time of 7.44
On the men's side, junior Nigel Hussey, sophomore Darren McQueen Jr., and senior Stephon Brown advanced to the 60m final, with Brown crossing the line in 6.67 seconds for first place overall. Hussey and McQueen Jr. both recorded new PRs in the process. Hussey claimed third with a 6.771 time. McQueen Jr. was close behind in fourth place with a 6.777 time.
In her first collegiate meet, freshman Norrah Lemongo won the women's shot put with a 14.50m result. Sophomore Niya Crawford came in fourth in the event with a 13.20m mark. Crawford would go on to place second in the women's weight throw with a 17.34m PR. Senior Lanie Bainter came in fourth place with a 16.65m PR.
In the women's 60m hurdles, sophomore Jana Bruses set a new personal record in the preliminary round. She qualified for the finals with her 8.91 run. Bruses improved upon her time again in the finals, crossing the line in 8.80 seconds, securing second place overall. Freshman Aubrey Leneweaver's 9.11 second time resulted in sixth place and junior Jazmyn Potts followed in seventh place with a time of 9.12 seconds.
Senior transfer Ardonntrell Williams made his Panther debut in the men's 60m hurdles, placing second in his preliminary heat and finishing in fifth in the finals with a time of 8.09 seconds.
Sophomore Alma Evuna Eki recorded a 25.24 PR in the women's 200m, finishing in fifth place.
Success Duruzor and Caleia Johnson finished in first and second places respectively in the women's 400m. Duruzor posted a time of 55.51 seconds and Johnson finished next with a time of 56.42 seconds.
Senior Ilse Steigenga won the women's long jump by a long shot with a mark of 6.28m.
Junior Mackenzie Sullivan won the women's 800m for the second consecutive year. This year, Sullivan set a YSU Icebreaker meet record with her 2:13.28 time.
Senior transfer Joseph Bujdos was the only Panther to run sub two minutes in the men's 800m race. Bujdos placed 10th in 1:57.69.
Sophomore Uri Arnon placed third in the men's triple jump. He recorded a mark of 14.47m.
The Panthers had a pair of 4x400m relay squads finish in the top three on the women's side, both beating the previous Icebreaker 4x400m relay record. The quartet of Somiyah Braggs, Success Duruzor, Caleia Johnson, and Mackenzie Sullivan set a new Icebreaker record with their 3:46.31 first place finish. The foursome of Ilse Steigenga, Lydia Bottelier, Taylor Newton, and Aubrey Leneweaver took third in 3:46.74. The men's 4x400m relay team of Stephon Brown, Nigel Hussey, Malik Ricketts, and Devin Nugent finished the night with a second place performance of their own in 3:13.86.
NEXT UP
The Panthers will not compete again in the 2023 calendar year. Pitt will return to action on January 13, 2024, when the team travels to State College, Pa. for the PSU Challenge.
Players Mentioned
