AKRON, Ohio — The Marietta College track and field team opened 2026 at the Al Campbell Invitational hosted by Akron University Friday (Jan. 16) afternoon. Several Pioneers started the new year with personal record performances.
 
Four Pioneer women set new personal bests in the meet. Emily Comiskey (Shirley, N.Y./Longwood) recorded a mark of 6.46 meters (21' 2.5") in the shot put; Kileah Lieras-Kelley (Belpre, Ohio/) cleared 1.45 meters (4'9") in the high jump; Sophi Merickel (Phoenix, Ariz./Cactus Shadows) ran a time of 1:03.31 in the 400-meter dash; while Leilani Navarro (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Wood County Christian School) had a time of 3:02.09 in the 800-meter run.
 
On the men's side, Marietta had 14 new personal record performances. Ray Kelley (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) had a pair of PR's running 7.36 seconds in the 60-meter dash and 23.78 seconds in the 200-meter dash. Zavier Lindsay (Columbus, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) also posted a double with personal bests in the 200m with a time of 23.23 seconds and the 400-meter dash with a time of 52.02 seconds. Kallen Wilson (Logan, Ohio/Logan) set new personal records in the shot put with a mark of 12.52 meters (41'1") and the weight throw with a distance of 14.38 meters (47'2.25").
 
Gunner Fertig (Eleanor, W.Va./Buffalo) ran 9.17 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles, while Hayden Bays (Marion, Ohio/Marion Harding) posted a time of 9.53 seconds. Caleb Moore (New Richmond, Ohio/Archbishop McNicholas) (7.59 seconds) and Logan Falls (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) (7.85 seconds) notched personal records in the 60m dash.
 
The remaining personal records included Isaiah Creditt-Commodore (Xenia, Ohio/Xenia) (23.59 seconds) in the 200m dash; Aiden Westerman (Vincent, Ohio/Warren Local) (2:15.35) and Hunter Uptain (Millersburg, Ohio/West Holmes) (2:17.73) in the 800m run; and Andrew Franchini (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) (11.51 meters / 37' 9.25") in the shot put.
 
Marietta is back in action at the Ohio Wesleyan Team Challenge on Saturday (Jan. 24). Events start at 1:00 p.m.
 
Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.