Kent State Golden Flashes and Youngstown State University track and field teams are set to compete at the Akron Invitational on Friday. The one-day event at the University of Akron's Stile Athletics Field House serves as final preparation for their respective conference championships. Kent State enters 39 athletes, while Youngstown State focuses on pole vaulters.
The Akron Invitational, marking its 22nd annual edition, will take place on February 20, 2026, at the Stile Athletics Field House on the University of Akron campus. Competition for Kent State's contingent is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m., with Youngstown State's pole vaulters starting at 4 p.m. This meet represents the last tune-up for Kent State before the 2026 MAC Indoor Championships in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, on February 27-28.
Kent State has entered 39 student-athletes, led by Gabrielle Hammonds in the women's 60-meter hurdles and Charles Pawlosky in the men's shot put, both ranked second in the Mid-American Conference. Desmond Boyd and Donovan Crawford follow closely, ranking third and fourth in the men's weight throw.
Youngstown State is sending its men's and women's pole vaulters. On the men's side, Lukas Lang, the reigning Horizon League Field Athlete of the Week who has set personal bests in his last two meets, will compete alongside Jak Rovan, who ranks second on the league performance list. The women's group includes Ainsley Hamsher, Melana Schumaker, Kaitlyn Eger, Gabbi Selman, Melissa Ratliff, and Jaden Brambley. Eger, Hamsher, and Schumaker hold the top three spots in the league, with Ratliff fifth and Selman sixth. The women will compete before the men.
Both teams view the invitational as key preparation for their conference meets, with Kent State in the MAC and Youngstown State in the Horizon League.
