YSU’s Rupe, Jakovina win in Raleigh

Staff report

Raleigh, N.C.

Youngstown State junior Eric Rupe (Maplewood) and sophomore Jay Jakovina (Fitch) won events Friday in the Raleigh Relays.

Rupe won the 5,000-meter race in an amazing 14:22.27 to break the school record of 14:36 by an amazing 14 seconds during the Raleigh Relays on Friday. Jakovina won the high jump for the Penguins in his first outdoor meet with a career-best 2.10 meters (6-101/2.)

Jakovina beat out junior Alex Louden of St. Augustine’s and sophomore Thomas Pitt of Penn, who both jumped 2.05 meters, to qualify him for the NCAA prelims in May.

Sophomore Nina Grambling was the female top performers for the Penguins, finishing second in the long jump at 5.75 meters, just missing her career best of 5.76 meters set last year.

Sophomore Jennifer Neider and freshman Jayne Corbett placed eighth and ninth in the shot put. Neider threw of 13.71 meters and Corbett threw 13.57.