Lashely, Nkwonta Rewrite History Books as Track & Field Compete at Raleigh Relays

Thursday, March 28

Raleigh, N.C.

9:15 AM

University of Delaware

Raleigh Relays

Photo by: NIC TERRY PRODUCTIONS

Lashely, Nkwonta Rewrite History Books as Track & Field Compete at Raleigh Relays

3/30/2024 5:34:00 PM | Track & Field

RALEIGH, N.C. - The University of Delaware track & field team headed to head coach Kenyetta Iyevbele alma mater NC State ready to compete at three-day Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C. from Paul Derr Track. Molly Lashley and Kosie Nkwonta led the charge for the Blue Hens by rewriting the school history books in the 10,000m race and hammer throw as the squad set eight personal-best times/marks and eight season-best times/marks at the three-day meet.

HEN HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1

Nkwonta opened Day 1 of the competition in the shot put where she saw her third throw fly through the air for 12.35m, which was good enough for 34th place.
Geared up to headline the javelin was freshman Rachel Schmitt. Schmitt launched her third throw for 38.42m to finish the event in 19th place.

Day 2

Jahnia Hodge opened Day 2 of competition in the triple jump as leaped for a season-best mark of 11.64m (16th place)
The 100m saw four Blue Hens, Hodge (PB-12.12, second in her heat, 50th overall), Jacquelyn Rolle (PB-12.26 seventh in her heat, 55th overall), Victoria Henry (PB-12.32, sixth in her heat, 62nd overall) and Taylor Johnson (SB-12.33, first in her heat, 63rd overall) race in the event.
Halima Scott opened her outdoor season by competing in the 400m where she posted a time of 55.43 for a fifth-place finish.
Leah Clear was the lone Blue Hens racing in the 1500m. Clear ran a time of 4:36.57 (fifth in her heat, 129th overall) to set a new PR, shaving five seconds off the previous time she just set last week (4:41.66).
The 5000m duo of Danielle Eshelman and Sarah Daniels also opened their outdoor season. Daniels finished with a time of 17:06.72 (124th place overall) while Eshelman posted a time of 18:27.81 (194th place overall).
Making her outdoor debut was Lashley as she concluded day two for the Blue Hens competing in the 10,000m. Lashley ran a personal-best time of 35:55.16 (53rd overall), a time that now sits sixth in school history.

Day 3

Henry opened the final day of competition for the Blue Hens in the long jump pit. Henry leaped for a personal-best mark of 5.14m to place 37th in the event.
The 4x100m team consisting of Henry, Johnson, Hodge and Rolle opened the track side by clocking a time of 47.65 (14th overall)
The rookies Lauren Leath and Kadance Dumas headlined the 800m for the Blue & Gold. Dumas clocked a personal-best time of 2:14.28 to finish in 112th overall while Leath posted a time of 2:14.90, finishing in 122nd overall.
Johnson and Rolle led the Blue Hens in the 200m as Johnson posted a season-best time of 25.74 to finish third in her heat, 67th overall and Rolle clocked a time of 26.05 (80th overall).
Nkwonta was the lone Blue Hen competing in the hammer throw where she saw her hammer fly through the air for a personal-best mark of 53.79m, which was good enough for 14th place. Nkwonta's PB mark moved up the school history books, sitting pretty in third.
The 4x400m squad consisting of Dumas, Leath, Jenna Scandale and Scott closed out Raleigh Relays by posting a season-best time of 3:46.33, finishing their heat in second place, 13th overall.

GAME NOTES

10 Blue Hens competed at Raleigh Relays for the first time in their careers, six being freshmen.
This was Nkwonta's second straight meet headlining the Blue Hens in the shot put and hammer throw.
This is Scott's first event of the 2023-24 track and field campaign, with her last appearance being at the 2023 NCAA East Regionals

UP NEXT
The Blue Hens are set to return to the First State to host its two-day Delaware Invitational April 5-6 from Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium. Saturday (April 6) will serve as Alumni Day along with the celebration of the six-member senior class of 2024: Carolyn Coletti, Destiny DeBlock, Hodge, Alicia Lehman-Woodyard, Nkwonta and Scott. Fans are encouraged to arrive at 9:30 a.m. as the ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

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