Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

The University of Akron men’s and women’s track and field teams split up over the weekend as some traveled to Columbus for the Jesse Owens Track and Field Classic and others to the LSU Alumni Invitational in Baton Rouge, La.

In Louisiana, the Zips earned first place three times and had 13 top-five finishes in the invitational.

Leading the way for Akron was Clayton Moore in the 1,500 meters. He stays unbeaten this spring with a time of 3:44.21.

In the “B” flight of the 1,500 meters, Garret Crichlow captured first with a time of 3:57.10 for Akron and Claudia Garcia Jou leapt her way to the top of the field in the women’s high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 1.5 inches.

Curtis Richardson and Cody Stine finished the men’s high jump in first and second with identical marks of 6 feet, 11 inches. Richardson was awarded the win because he took fewer jumps to get there.

Caroline Haase cleared 13 feet, 10 inches in the women’s pole vault to claim second place, while Daniella Johnson settled for fifth place in the long jump.

Also placing in the top five were: Matt Rowland (third in men’s pole vault), Dan Zupan (third in men’s 1,500 meters), Terrell McClain (third in men’s long jump), and Mike Ohiembor (fourth in men’s triple jump).

In Friday’s action in Columbus, Phil Jagers topped the field in the discus throw with a toss of 190 feet, 11 inches, while Ian Behm finished second in the javelin with a throw of 210 feet, 2 inches. Behm’s mark was the fifth longest in program history.

Saturday’s action saw five Zips place in the top 10. Megan Dornisch’s fifth-place finish in the women’s hammer throw led the Zips.

Rounding out the other top 10 finishes were: Ashleigh Nalty, ninth in the women’s high jump, Demetris Hazly-Ward, 10th in the men’s triple jump, and Zack Shull (ninth) and Bobby Mitman (10th) in the men’s hammer throw.

Women’s Golf

Danielle Nicholson became the first University of Akron golfer to win the individual title while setting Akron’s all-time lowest score at the Mid-American Conference Championship, a 5-under par 211-stroke tournament total.

The Zips finished sixth overall with a 905 (+41) tournament total. That score sets the all-time best MAC Championship team score.

The 54-hole event was hosted by Eastern Michigan University and held at the par 72, 6,257-yard Purgatory Golf Club in Noblesville, Ind.

Kent State won the team championship with an 868 (+4) team score while Toledo earned runner-up with an 872 (+8) tournament total.

Nicholson began the three-day event by shooting a 3-under par 69 on Friday, and a one-under-par 71 on Saturday to round out her record-setting weekend.

At the end of the weekend, the league announced the yearly awards. Nicholson earned First Team All-MAC honors, the MAC Freshman of the Year award, and MAC All-Tournament Team.

Also helping set the team mark for the Zips were Frida Foughberg, playing in her final MAC Championship, and Makayla Dull, who each carded a tournament score of 229 (+13) to finish tied for 29th place.

“It was an emotional day overall,” Zips Coach Jenny King said. “On one hand, we are losing a great senior leader in Frida, and on the other hand we are crowning this program’s first ever MAC Champion!”

Women’s Tennis

The University of Akron women’s tennis team wrapped up its regular season with a 7-0 thrashing against Mid-American Conference opponent Bowling Green on Friday at the Perrysburg Tennis Center.

“Today was an excellent team win for us, and a wonderful way to close out the conference regular season,” said Head Coach Brandon Padgett. “I am extremely proud of this entire team for its focus and perseverance [it has] shown this season.”

Akron captured the doubles point behind victories of the teams of Sophia Geier/Carli Knezevich and Karalina Maksimava/Martina Zerbola.

In singles, Ariadna Blinova won her 12th consecutive match and ends regular season conference action undefeated at No. 1 singles and 21-1 overall.

Geier defeated her opponent to finish 7-1 in the MAC and 18-5 overall. Also victorious in singles competition were: Maksimava, Shannon Newnes, Zerbola, and Carla Flores.

The Zips (15-9 overall, 5-3 MAC), will now prepare for the MAC Championships on Friday, April 29, as they square off against Buffalo, who they defeated 4-3 on April 16.

Women’s Softball

The University of Akron women’s softball dropped two of three games this past weekend to Bowling Green at Lee R. Jackson Field.

The first game on Saturday saw the Zips pound out 12 hits led by Kayla Schlosser’s three hits in three at bats. Meanwhile, Erin Seiler pitched a shutout, allowing just five hits and striking out six batters in Akron’s 5-0 win.

The second game on Saturday did not go so well for the Zips.

The Falcons jumped out to a 6-1 lead and hung on for a 9-5 win.

Akron registered another 12 hits to go along with the five runs, but watched as BG’s offense woke up from its slumber in the first game.

The deciding game on Sunday saw the Zips dash out to a 3-0 lead after three innings because of a bases-loaded walk and two-out double by Carley Childress.

An unearned run for the Falcons in the fourth cut the lead to 3-1, and it stayed that way until the sixth when BG erupted for four runs to take the lead and the game, 5-3.

Akron (26-20-1, 8-7-1 MAC) was only able to get three hits in the final game and was retired 1-2-3 in the last two innings to thwart any comeback effort.

Men’s Soccer

The University of Akron men’s soccer team was defeated, 4-2, by the Columbus Crew SC on Sunday in an exhibition match.

Ezana Kahsay scored off a missed penalty in the 33rd minute to give the Zips the advantage. The Crew was able to answer that score with one of its own in the 40th minute to knot the score at one.

Skye Harter found the back of the net in the 47th minute to give Akron a 2-1 lead. Harter scored after a shot by Goncalo Soares was punched out and found its way to him.

Once again, the advantage did not last long as Columbus scored a goal in the 50th minute to make it 2-2.

After an Akron turnover, a Columbus attack resulted in a goal in the 65th minute to give the Crew the lead.

An insurance goal was added in the 78th minute by Columbus to close out the scoring.