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Track and Field 1/31/2026 6:13:00 PM

Oilers Wrap Up Strong Showing at PSU National Open

University Park, Pa.- The University of Findlay track and field teams wrapped up a strong showing at the PSU National Open, hosted by Division I Penn State University, on Friday, Jan. 30. Both the men's and women's squads recorded impressive individual and relay performances, earning multiple NCAA Provisional Standards and posting some of the top times and marks in Division II this season.

Notable Results
Women

Leah Smith (Jr.) had a standout performance, finishing second in the 200m Invite with a time of 24.23, meeting the NCAA Provisional Standard and recording the fifth-best time in Division II this season. She also ran on the 4x400 relay that placed sixth in 3:44.41, an NCAA Provisional Standard and the second-best time in Division II this season.
- Mary Ellis (Jr.), Zanri Black (So.), and Katharina Rupp (Fr.) joined Smith on the 4x400 relay, which finished sixth with a time of 3:44.41, meeting the NCAA Provisional Standard and ranking second in Division II this season.
Jessica Hoban (Sr.) placed sixth in the triple jump with a mark of 11.84m, achieving the NCAA Provisional Standard.
Victoria Harvey (Jr.) earned a second-place finish in the pole vault, clearing 4.00m to meet the NCAA Provisional Standard and rank ninth in Division II this season.
- Colleen Steinmetz (So.) also cleared 4.00m, finishing fourth and meeting the NCAA Provisional Standard, while Brayden Snider (Fr.) placed fifth with a vault of 3.90m to also hit the provisional mark.

Men

KJ Upshaw (Sr.) competed in the 200m Open, finishing 13th with a time of 21.93.
Elijah Hadler (Jr.) turned in a strong showing in the 3000m Open, placing third with a time of 8:32.89.
- Billy Dennison (Fr.) followed closely behind in seventh, clocking 8:35.01.
Sherron Jones (Sr.) placed eighth in the 200m Invite with a time of 21.82 and ran on the 4x400 relay that finished 10th in 3:18.87.
- Joining Jones, the 4x400 relay of Jack Newlove (Fr.), Teagan France (Fr.), and Brandon Richardson (Jr.) finished 10th with a time of 3:18.87.
Shakur Payton (Sr.) finished second in the high jump, clearing 2.01m.
- Owen Ackerman (So.) also cleared 2.01m to place third.
Eyan Wilson (Sr.) placed eighth in the shot put with a throw of 17.65m, meeting the NCAA Provisional Standard.
In the 3000m Invite, Benjamin Hall (So.) finished 15th with a time of 8:25.99.
- Asher Long (So.) placed 23rd, clocking 8:37.72.

The Oilers will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 6, competing at the Michigan Invite in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the Ashland Jud Logan Light Giver Invitational in Ashland, Ohio, looking to continue their strong performances this season.

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Players Mentioned

Owen Ackerman: Sophomore; Jumps

Zanri Black: Sophomore; Hurdles

Mary Ellis: Junior; Sprints

Benjamin Hall: Sophomore; Distance

Victoria Harvey: Junior; Pole Vault

Jessica Hoban: Jumps; Graduate Student; Jumps

Sherron Jones: Sprints; Senior; Sprints

Asher Long: Sophomore; Distance

Shakur Payton: Graduate Student; Jumps

Brandon Richardson: Junior

Leah Smith: Junior; Sprints

Colleen Steinmetz: Sophomore; Pole Vault

Players Mentioned

Owen Ackerman
: Sophomore; Jumps

Zanri Black
: Sophomore; Hurdles

Mary Ellis
: Junior; Sprints

Benjamin Hall
: Sophomore; Distance

Victoria Harvey
: Junior; Pole Vault

Jessica Hoban
: Graduate Student; Jumps
: Jumps

Sherron Jones
: Senior; Sprints
: Sprints

Asher Long
: Sophomore; Distance

Shakur Payton
: Graduate Student; Jumps

Brandon Richardson
: Junior

Leah Smith
: Junior; Sprints

Colleen Steinmetz
: Sophomore; Pole Vault