Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Lenny Lyles Invitational
Herd Competes on First Day of PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational
1/30/2026 9:03:00 PM | Track and Field
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Over 70 schools or clubs descended on Louisville for the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational, including Marshall Track & Field, who made its mark in several key events including the Women's Weight Throw.
Top performances came from Joey Bloebaum on the track and Markayla Moore's 19.13 meter throw in Women's Weight Throw - a Top-3 mark in the Sun Belt Conference.
"We had some solid performances today but also have some areas for improvement," Director of Track & Field Keith Roberts said. "I was excited about our DMR's. We have big plans for that event at conference and we showed that we are more than capable of doing something special."
"Markayla Moore had a monster throw in the weight and is putting herself in the mix as being one of the Sun Belt elites. Her throw is one of the best in school history and currently sits 3rd in the conference."
"LaKesha Smith also performed at an elite level. She had a huge jump in the long jump. Her mark is consistently one of the top marks in the conference."
Track Events
• 200m (Men, B Division): Joey Bloebaum finished 5th in 21.74. Samari McCord was 10th in 21.93. • 200m (Women, B Division): Bay'Andria Hodges earned 14th in 24.89. Haleigh Crum ran a season-best 25.54 for 19th, and Emma Henry finished 22nd in 25.63. • 200m (Women, C Division): Dior Carney posted a season-best 25.22 for 14th • 400m (Men, C Division): Chase Peterson recorded 8th in 49.58. Wyatt Milhoan ran 50.48 for 16th, and Chris Swint was 25th in 51.10. • 400m (Women, C Division): Shanel Morgan took 6th in 58.13. Dashanique Henry finished 11th in a season-best 58.57. • 800m (Men, Open): Luke Goode ran 1:57.01 for a Top-5 program mark . • 800m (Women, Open): Maggie Froning took 26th in 2:18.75.. • Men's 4000m Distance Medley Relay (Open): The team of Maxton Sowers, Jonathan White, Ryan Hughes and Garrett Ferguson posted 10:19.70, ranking No. 28 in Division I. • Women's 4000m Distance Medley Relay (Open): The quartet of Maggie Froning, Hailey Jackson, Lauren Sonski and Taylor Spencer finished in 12:13.58, earning a No. 26 national ranking.
Field Events
• Men's Weight Throw (Open): Gradian Graham placed 23rd with a mark of 17.57 meters (57-07.75). Anthony Belcher was 24th at 17.48 meters (57-04.25), and Brooks Theis landed 36th at 16.20 meters (53-01.75). • Women's Weight Throw (Open): Markayla Moore delivered the Herd's top field result, finishing 6th with a personal record 19.13 meters (62-09.25), now No. 60 in Division I. . • Men's Long Jump (Open, Outside Runway): Cole Miller and Grant Swider each jumped 6.70 meters (21-11.75), placing 24th and 25th respectively. • Women's Long Jump (Open, Inside Runway): Lakesha Smith soared to 5th place with a season-best 5.94 meters (19-06.00). Lara Check captured 22nd with a leap of 5.54 meters (18-02.25), and Mara Pearson was 27th at 5.45 meters (17-10.75).
UP NEXT:
Day two from the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational starts at 9 a.m.
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Players Mentioned
