The West Virginia track and field team continued its outdoor season with a strong showing at the Penn Relays, held at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Three distance athletes – Joy Naukot, Sarah Tait, and Naomi Kemboi – represented the Mountaineers at the meet, competing against talented athletes from across the country. The Penn Relays is one of the oldest and most prestigious track meets in the United States, drawing top collegiate and professional athletes. Read more WVU Track and Field Makes Impact at Penn Relays.
Penn Relays
WVU sent three distance athletes to perform in the Penn Relays. West Virginia was scheduled to race in the college women’s 1,500-meter championship, which was held at approximately 6:25 p.m. ET. Following this event was the college women’s 5,000-meter championship, which was to be held at 8 p.m. The Mountaineers aimed to use the competitive environment at Franklin Field as a valuable opportunity to test themselves ahead of the postseason.
National Rankings
Naukot ranks No. 6 nationally in the 10,000 meters, and No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic region and Big 12 conference. Tait is also nationally ranked in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at No. 6. She also ranks in the 5,000 meters and the 1,500 meters, No. 24 and No. 25, respectively. Kemboi is ranked No. 22 nationally in the 5,000 meters as well. All three athletes continue to climb the national rankings as they prepare for critical postseason meets.
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Show Time
Joy Naukot made a statement for WVU, debuting her 5,000 meters performance with a time of 15:49.37, coming in second. The time also secured her as No. 4 on West Virginia’s outdoor all-time list.
Sophomore Tecla Lokrale also competed in the 5,000 meters, where she placed 57th overall with a time of 17:31.31.
Kemboi showcased her skills in the 1,500 meters for the first time in her collegiate career. Here she marked a time of 4:30.72. Her effort marked a strong transition as she adds a new event to her repertoire heading into postseason competition.
Up Next for The Mountaineers
On Saturday, May 3rd at 9 a.m., The Mountaineers will host the Stan Romanoski Open in Morgantown, W. Va., at The Track and Field Complex at Mylan Park. This event will also be designated as Jerry West Day. Following this home event, The Mountaineers will then host the WVU Last Chance meet on Friday and Saturday, May 9th-10th at 10 a.m.
These upcoming home events will offer athletes the final opportunity to qualify or improve marks ahead of championship season. The Mountaineers will then travel to Waco, Texas for the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, followed by the NCAA East Preliminary Round and the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the months of May and June.
WVU Track and Field Makes Impact at Penn Relays. #HailWV
