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YSU TRACK | News and notes
Just made it: Both YSU senior Samantha Hamilton (10K) and junior Eric Rupe (3K steeplechase) made the NCAA East prelims thanks to “last-chance” meets, so-named because they’re held after conference meets and feature athletes focusing on specific events in order to qualify for the NCAAs. Hamilton qualified in the 5K two years ago, but missed some training between this year’s indoor and outdoor season due to an iron deficiency and never quite caught up. “Even though I ran three really good 5Ks this year, I never ran one great 5K,” she said. She gave the 5K one more shot in the Virginia Challenge on May 10, then turned to the 10K, running a 34:51.17 at the NCC Gregory Final Qualifier on May 15. “It’s not my favorite event, but there’s going to be 48 girls on the track, which normally doesn’t happen, so it’s gonna be a big race,” Hamilton said. “I really think I could walk away with a really big PR [personal record].” Rupe, meanwhile, qualified with an 8:57.62 on the May 16 Louisville Twilight. “Going into outdoor, I hadn’t run the steeple in two years and I kind of thought it would be like riding a bike,” said Rupe, who ended up wiping out on a hurdle at the Penn Relays in April. “It took awhile, but I finally got down there.”
High hopes: High jumper Jay Jakovina cleared 2.10 meters (roughly 6-foot-10 3/4) at the Raleigh Relays in March but nearly cleared 7 feet last week. “I wouldn’t say I got cocky, but I thought I had it and I almost relaxed,” he said. “I hit [the bar] with my heels. I think I’ve made something like 6-111/2 [in practice] on my first try, so I definitely know it’s there.” Teammate Arnoldo Morales cleared 2.09 (6-101/4) in this month’s Horizon League championships and is aiming for 2.10. “I’m hoping to qualify for nationals,” he said, “but if not, I want to PR.”
Last chance: Senior shot putter John Seaver placed 13th at last year’s NCAA prelims and was in the top 12 until his second-to-last throw, but said he still considers it a good memory. “I didn’t expect to do as well as I did,” he said. “Last year’s experience definitely helps me out but this time is more of a business trip.” Seaver’s best throw this season is 17.59, which is what he threw at last year’s prelims. “I think I have an 18.50 in me,” he said.