JONESBORO, Ark. (4/19/24) – Arkansas State track and field got the inaugural Alumni Classic off to a strong start on Friday, including six event titles and a pair of additions to the program’s outdoor top-10.

Bella Coscetti cleared the 13-foot mark for the first time in an outdoor setting, winning the women’s pole vault with a clearance of 3.97m (13.0.25) – a mark that is seventh in program history. On the oval, Cash Kunkel claimed the men’s 1500 meters with a time of 3:49.59, which ranks ninth in school history.

Avery Shell, competing unattached, cleared 3.77m (12-4.5) in a runner-up finish, while freshman Kaci Andrus vaulted a career-best 3.62 (11-10.5) to place third. Trace South was the top collegian in the men’s pole vault, clearing a season-best 4.95m (16-3) to finish second overall. John Carswell was third, vaulting 4.83m (15-10.25).

Cheyenne Melvin captured the women’s 1500-meter crown with a time of 4:35.71. Emma Guadagnoli ran a personal-best 4:49.79 to place fifth, ahead of Abbey Coberly in sixth place (4:50.34). Anna Hunter clocked a season-best 4:55.92, and Sophey Pope clocked a career-best 5:12.71. Hannah McLaughlin (4:58.21), Maddie Haldiman (4:58.75) and Lizzee Winkler (5:03.44) also competed in the event.

In the men’s long jump, Colby Eddowes won with a leap of 7.35m (24-1.25). Amarrion Reese jumped a career-best 6.87m (22-6.5) to place fourth, while Matthew Williams finished close behind in fifth with a jump of 6.86m (22-6).

Izzy Daines threw a season-best 40.79m (133-10) to win the women’s javelin, while Alden Wetzel placed second with a collegiate-best throw of 48.28m (158-5).

Spencer Taylor won the men’s 200 meters with a wind-aided 21.58, followed by Kenyon Parker’s runner-up time of 21.64. Handre Jonker finished eighth in 21.99w, with Josh Jones in 10^th (22.30). CJ Burge crossed 13^th in 22.41 while Mehki Hoo rounded out the field in 16^th (22.53).

Madison Holloway placed second in the women’s long jump, leaping 5.54m (18-2), with Miranda Burgett jumping a career-best 5.39m (17-8.25) in a third-place finish. Alexis Taylor placed sixth with a mark of 5.28m (17-3.75).

Michelle Ogbemudia placed second in the women’s hammer throw, hurling the implement 48.43m (158-11). Selase Sampram and Nyaluet Diew recorded personal-best throws of 48.11m (157-10) and 42.31m (138-10), respectively, placing third and fifth. Liya Guy also competed, throwing 36.10m (118-5).

Noa Isaia finished third in the men’s hammer throw with a distance of 55.49m (182-1) and Chris Boyd was fourth with a collegiate-best throw of 52.00m (170-7). Menachem Chen also recorded a personal-best throw of 44.13m (144-9) to place eighth.

Behind Kunkel in the men’s 1500 meters, Benny Brenneman ran a personal-best 4:02.34, while Ryan Parson crossed in 4:02.58. Rylan Brown ran 4:05.28 with Andrew Mason finishing in a collegiate-best 4:08.30.

In the women’s 200 meters, Hanyla Milligan and Je’Breiya Chapman ran wind-aided times of 25.59 and 25.97, respectively, placing seventh and 13^th.

The Alumni Classic continues Saturday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Admission to the meet at the A-State Track and Field Complex is free.

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