Bucknell's Casalnova Kicks Off Youngstown State Track Invite with School Record - BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Bucknell's Casalnova Kicks Off Youngstown State Track Invite with School Record

Bison Claim Nine Wins at Youngstown State, Susquehanna

Hana Casalnova became the second Bison in two weeks to break the 1,000m school record.

Feb. 3, 2012

Crusader Classic Results

Youngstown State Invitational Results

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Hana Casalnova (Grove City, Pa./Grove City) broke the third school record in two weeks as Bucknell track and field got competition underway at a pair of meets on Friday night. Casalnova took over the top spot in the 1,000 meters at the Youngtown State Invitational with a time of 1:52.96, while the Bison claimed nearly a dozen victories at the two meets.

Casalnova ran the fastest 1,000-meter time in school history, taking over the record set by fellow sophomore Beth Braunegg (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Twp.) just last weekend. Casalnova rocketed up the record list with her 1:52.96. Prior to Friday's race, where she placed second in the field, she was not even among the program's top 10. Casalnova broke Braunegg's short-lived record by less than one second.

Abby Monaghan (La Plata, Md./La Plata) and Jennifer Zymet (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) also set new top-10 marks at Youngstown State. Zymet won the 500 meters in 1:15.69, giving her a career best and the seventh-fastest time at Bucknell. Monaghan was second in the weight throw. The junior moved from ninth to seventh on the record list with a throw of 53 feet, 0 inches.

While no new records were set on the men's side, the Bison did collect their share of victories. Jason Brown (Plainville, Mass./Bishop Feehan) came out on top in the high jump, clearing 6-6 ¼, while Tom Barr (Ambler, Pa./La Salle College HS) added a second field event victory in the weight throw. The senior just missed out on another personal best with a mark of 63-5.

On the track, Jordan Donaldson (Saxton, Pa./Tussey Mountain) helped complete the Bucknell sweep in the 500 meters by winning the event in 1:04.22. Alex Jagelsky (Rutland, Mass./Wachusett) and Dustin Horning (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) took 1-2 in the 1,000 meters. Jagelsky crossed the line first in 1:27.68, with Horning just behind in 2:28.59.

D.J. Krystek (Pitcairn, Pa./Gateway Senior) and Melissa Smith (Mercer, Pa./Mercer Area) dominated in the 5,000 meters. Krystek led the way on the men's side with the top time of 14:56.48, while John Dugan (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey), Robert Yamnicky (Shelton, Conn./Shelton) and Michael McGowan (Ardmore, Pa./Lower Merion) took third through fifth, respectively. Smith won the women's side with a time of 17:48.13.

A smaller contingent of Bison also competed at Susquehanna's Crusader Classic but with equal amounts of success. The men were particularly strong in the field events. Brandon Reynolds (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) won the weight throw (49-11 ¼) and took third in the shot put (47-6 ¼) to lead the Bison's throwing unit. Ben Burgess (New Lebanon, N.Y./New Lebanon) was second in the triple jump (41-1) and third in the long jump (20-6 ½).

Eden Wondra (Perry, N.Y./Perry) was the lone winner for the Bison on the women's side at Susquehanna. The freshman tied for first in the pole vault, clearing 9-6 ¼. Zoe Gaston (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) and Stefanie Spanfeller (New York, N.Y./Nightingale-Bamford) took two of the top five spots in the mile. Gaston was second overall (5:30.11). Spanfeller was fifth (5:36.41).

Ali Foote (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) placed second overall in the 3,000 meters, finishing in 11:02.45.

Bucknell will continue action at the Youngstown State Invitational on Saturday morning. Events begin at 8:30 a.m.