The Case Western Reserve University men’s and women’s track and field teams traveled to the Bob Shannon Invitational in Granville, Ohio. The event was hosted by Denison University and the Spartans arrived ready to compete which led to strong finishes by both teams. The men came out with a third place finish out of the 13 teams competing at the meet, ending with a total score of 66.5 points. The women’s team was able to secure a fourth place finish with a score of 94 points.

Third-year sprinter Jonathan Haling won the 400-meter dash, finishing with a time of 51.23. Additionally, he placed second in the 200-meter dash, crossing the finish line at 23.60. Second-year student Luke Taverso competed in the pole vault, finishing with a mark of 3.81 meters which earned him second place. Fourth-year pole vaulter Drew Zapor was two spots behind, taking fourth place with a mark of 3.66 meters. On the track, second-year student Daniel Grasing placed third in the 3000-meter run with his time of 8:59.07 and first-year student Logan Singer finished the one-mile race in 4:30.83. Second-year long-jumper Jordan Butler also had a top finish, contributing to the Spartans with his third place finish in the long jump with a jump of 6.44 meters.

For the Spartan women, graduate student Cassandra Laios stood out with her two first place titles. She earned her win in the weight throw with her mark of 16.73 meters. Her other first place title was in the shot put where she finished with a mark of 13.79 meters. Following her stellar performance, Laios was named the University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week for women’s field. Laios currently ranks seventh among all shot put competitors and eighth amongst all weight throw competitors in Division III this season. This title marks Laios’ 10th UAA Athlete of the Week honor during the span of her career.

Additional top finishers for the Spartan women include third-year student Samantha Kelts. She earned a first place title in the triple jump with her jump of 10.68 meters. In the 200-meter dash, third-year student Bari Love crossed the finish line at 27.68 which earned her second place in the event. In addition to Laios, second-year student Taylor Jackson also placed in both the weight throw and shot put, earning third in both with marks of 14.53 meters and 11.84 meters, respectively.

The Spartan men and women will travel again this weekend, either to compete in the Mid-February Meet on Friday, Feb. 8 or the Indoor All-Ohio Championships on Saturday, Feb. 9.