Track & Field Showcase Strong Performance at Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener

Saturday, December 2

Boston, Mass.

10 AM

University of Delaware

Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener

Photo by: NIC TERRY PRODUCTIONS

Track & Field Showcase Strong Performance at Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener

12/2/2023 4:15:00 PM | Track & Field

BOSTON - The University of Delaware track & field team headed to Boston, Mass. to open the 2023-24 indoor campaign at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, hosted by Boston University, inside Track & Tennis Center on Saturday. Head coach Kenyetta Iyevbele took five Blue Hens to compete in two field events and two track events and the flock shined by setting personal-best records in the lone indoor meet of the 2023 calendar year.

COACH'S QUOTE

Proud of the way we executed today," said Iyevbele. "Headed back to the 302 with the shot put win, top three finishes in the weight throw and PRs all around in the 800m and 3K. We were competitive and it was great way for this group to set the tone for the season. Let's keep climbing.

HEN HIGHLIGHTS

Kosie Nkwonta ignited the day's proceedings for the Blue Hens, clinching a triumphant win in the shot put event.
Mackenzie Stephens shattered her personal best in the weight throw, while Hannah Smalley achieved a new personal record in the 800m race.
Marissa Dailey and Danielle Eshelman took on the challenging 3000m race, each achieving personal-best times during their impressive outing.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Nkwonta, geared up to compete in two events for the Blue Hens, commenced her performance by entering the shot put ring.
Nkwonta made a commanding start with her initial throw of 12.30m, securing the victorious mark in the event. Transitioning to the weight throw, she soared into second place with a mighty toss of 16.40m on her second attempt.
Trailing closely behind Nkwonta was Stephens, who was armed with a personal-best record of 13.35m. She shattered expectations on her second throw, reaching an impressive new personal best of 14.01m and securing third place in the competition.
Transitioning to the track, Smalley stood as the sole representative for the Blue Hens in the 800m event.
In a remarkable display, Smalley surged forward, setting a blazing new personal-best time of 2:17.83, securing a commendable ninth-place finish.
In the spotlight of the 3000m event were Eshelman and Dailey, both achieving remarkable personal-best performances. Eshelman crossed the finish line in her heat with a time of 10:11.17, claiming a solid sixth-place position.
Meanwhile, Dailey embarked on her indoor 3000m debut, impressively clocking a time of 10:21.76, securing the 17th spot in her heat.

GAME NOTES

Nkwonta's personal-best shot put mark of 13.77m that she set at 2023 CAA Indoor Championshipssits fourth in UD history. Last time she competed in the weight throw was also at the 2023 CAA Indoor Championships where she launched one for 16.18m. Nkwonta's personal-best throw was 16.89m, a mark that sits fifth in the record books.
Stephens marked her comeback to the weight throw ring after her previous appearance was back during the 2021-22 season.
Smalley's previous indoor 800m run was at the Scarlet Knight Open last season, where she clocked a personal-best indoor time of 2:20.59.

UP NEXT
The Blue Hens will open the 2023 calendar year at Lions Indoor Invitational hosted by The College of New Jersey on Friday, Jan. 12 inside the Armory in New York City starting at 10 a.m.

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