SU track and field has smashing weekend at Susquehanna

The Shippensburg University men’s and women’s track-and-field teams traveled to Susquehanna University on Friday evening in the hopes of gaining more Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifying times and marks.

Sarah Hunt exceeded expectations when she shattered her own record in the long jump with a mark of 20 feet and 1/2 inch. The impressive jump automatically qualified her for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships and places her No. 1 among the NCAA Division II competition. Hunt also excelled on the track, winning the 60-meter dash final with a time of 7.8 seconds.

Danielle Sciremammano also had a nice showing in the long jump with a new personal record of 18 feet and 7 inches. The mark earned her second place at the meet as well as an NCAA-Provisional qualification.

On the track, Cirsten Kelly took first in the 400-meter race, breaking the 60-second barrier with a time of 59.39 seconds.

On the field, Paige Shirk came out on top in the weight throw with a winning mark of 51 feet and 6 1/2 inches.

For the men, Austin Shupp did some record breaking of his own in the 60-meter hurdles. His time of 8.19 seconds broke his previous record of 8.22 seconds. The time also qualified Shupp for NCAA Provisionals.

Bryan Pearson and Alec Rideout represented SU well on the field with two first-place finishes. Pearson won the weight throw event with a mark of 53 feet and 4 1/4 inches while Rideout took shot put with a mark of 51 feet and 11 1/4 inches. For Rideout the mark was NCAA-Provisional worthy.

There were a total of 14 women and seven men who had PSAC-qualifying events.

The SU track-and-field squad will split next week to compete in both the Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston and the Bucknell Tune-Up meet.