MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – On Friday, March 21, 2025, Josh Kingerski and Isabella Bartoletti showcased their athletic prowess at the Marty Pushkin Invitational, hosted by West Virginia University. The competition saw Slippery Rock University’s track & field teams make a significant impact with just 12 athletes participating, competing in events that highlighted their talents in javelin and distance running.
Kingerski delivered a standout performance in the men’s javelin, securing first place with an impressive NCAA provisional throw of 60.11 meters. Following closely behind, teammate Joseph Reed clinched the second spot with a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifying throw of 54.80 meters. This marked a notable achievement for both athletes, showcasing their skills and potential for the upcoming season.
“Winning the event was a big boost for me, and it gives me a lot of confidence moving forward,” Kingerski commented. His victory at this respected outdoor meet not only marks a personal milestone but also uplifts the team spirit as they prepare for future competitions.
The women's javelin event also witnessed a thrilling competition, led by Isabella Bartoletti, who earned the top honor with a PSAC qualifying throw of 40.30 meters. Fellow athlete Eva Tokar joined her in making a mark, finishing fourth with a throw of 36.90 meters, also meeting the PSAC standards. The depth in Slippery's javelin roster was further demonstrated, with Madylin Wolter and Olivia Heckman taking eighth and ninth places, respectively, with throws of 33.22 meters and 32.34 meters.
Switching gears to the distance events, John Juszynski demonstrated his endurance in the men’s 5,000-meter run, clocking a time of 15:24, closely chased by fellow teammate Eli Schreiber, who finished moments later at 15:32. However, the results for their placements were still pending as of late Friday night, due to complications with the reporting system. Despite this hurdle, their performances indicated a strong showing from Slippery Rock in all facets of the invitational.
Meanwhile, in the women’s 5,000-meter run, Lydia Valeriano completed the race in 18:52.31 for a 10th place finish, closely followed by her teammates Maddie Grillo in 11th place at 18:52.57, Morgan Dennison in 13th at 19:24.38, and Skye Hackathorn, who rounded out the group with a 17th place performance in 20:23.58. Although the results were not yet fully confirmed, the athletes' determination was evident as they competed against a strong field.
Looking ahead, Slippery Rock will continue to display their talents as they participate in the Ed Fry Invitational hosted by Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, supplying a fresh opportunity for the athletes to showcase their hard work and dedication.
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In a separate event on the same day, Anna Scarbrock led the Centenary softball team to a strong start in their three-game Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference series against Southwestern University. Scarbrock threw a complete-game shutout, leading her team to a resounding 6-0 victory against the Pirates.
Scarbrock's performance was stellar; she allowed just six hits, did not walk any batters, and struck out three, all while facing 27 batters on the day. Coach of the Ladies asserted, “Anna really stepped up and showed her strength on the mound today. It was a total team effort, but her performance truly shone.”
With this victory, Scarbrock improved her record to 4-4 for the season, boasting a commendable total of 23 complete games over her career, solidifying her standing as one of the program's all-time greats in Division III history.
The Centenary Ladies found their offensive rhythm late in the game. After a scoreless battle through the first five innings, the tide turned in the sixth when Viviana Rivero ignited the offense with a leadoff double. The ensuing plays led to an explosive inning, resulting in six runs, beginning with Laine Sullivan's walk that forced in the first run. As the inning progressed, the pressure on Southwestern escalated, capped off by a two-run single from Emma Crow, further extending the lead and sealing the victory.
Despite the Pirates’ strong season, now carrying a record of 12-11 overall, the Ladies improved their standing to 7-11 with a conference record of 4-8. The series will conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 22, 2025, setting the stage for further competitive action.
Throughout the matchup, Centenary did not commit any errors and demonstrated an overall cohesive performance both defensively and offensively. The contest concluded with Scarbrock's strong closing performance, managing to retire the final three batters in decisive fashion.
The upcoming games promise more excitement as the Centenary Ladies and Slippery Rock athletes continue to strive for excellence on their respective fields.
