YSU track notebook

RECORDS

In an odd quirk to Chad Zallow’s career, it took him all the way to his senior season to break the outdoor facility records in his events at his home field.

The six-time All-American quickly rectified that this weekend as he took first across the 110 meter hurdles, the 100 and the 200. Across all three events, he set Farmers National Back Field records and in the 110 hurdles and 200, he also beat the Horizon League record.

“It’s kind of a neat thing with outdoor track. It’s only my second time running here,” Zallow said. “I didn’t have those facility records coming in so that was a big motivator for me. I wanted more conference records and I got two more. I feel great about that.”

ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

Jaliyah Elliott prefers to go full blast on an empty tank.

To prevent getting nausea from nerves, Elliott fasts on race day. It’s hard to argue with the results as she won the 100 and 200 meter dash as well as being a part of the winning 4x100 relay.

“I was pretty dehydrated. After the 200, my stomach was hurting really bad. I was sick and puking everywhere,” Elliott said. “It was horrible, but I’m glad I was able to pull through and win.”

She set a Horizon League record in the 100 and helped set a facility record in the 4x100. While her time in the 200 was good enough to be a league record, officials determined her time was wind-aided.

Elliott continued her blistering form the past few weeks. She turned a few heads when she won the 100 at the Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

“It was huge, there was so many people there,” Elliott said. “You get to stand on that podium in front of so many people.”

UNFAIR FOUL

Nicolette Kreatsoulas won the hammer throw by close to 6.5 meters, but she still wasn’t thrilled she missed out on a potential milestone.

“That first throw I had, it was probably one of the best throws of my life. For some reason, it was called foul and I still don’t understand why,” Kreatsoulas said. “My teammate pulled me aside and said ‘it wasn’t meant to be. There’s a bigger throw in you and it will come.’”

Kreatsoulas’ winning throw was her fourth at 58.39 meters — a facility record — but she surmised that the fouled throw was good for at least 60 meters. As best as she can tell, the officials took issue with something she did inside the circle as she was throwing.

“I don’t feel like anything was there, but it’s done. I’m going into next week thinking really positive,” Kreatsoulas said. “It was probably for the better.”

“I WANTED 50!”

Collin Harden won his third straight 400 meter hurdles title in a landslide. He obliterated the Horizon League record of 51.75 seconds with a time of 51.01.

But the first words the Girard graduate said following his race, was “I wanted 50.”

“It’s a big landmark that I want to hit,” Harden said. “I want to be on the next level in the nation and for myself.”

Harden’s time on Sunday is the 25th best in the nation and is eighth in his region. He already qualified for NCAA regionals on May 25, but the junior still wants to be faster.

“I’m not done yet. I still have next year,” Harden said. “I hope my opponents get faster and I hope I get faster too.”

— Brian Dzenis, The Vindicator