GRANTHAM, PA – The York College women's track & field squad opened their much awaited 2021 campaign on Friday afternoon at the Messiah Invitational in Grantham, PA.

The Spartans finished second of six teams at the event as the Spartans accumulated 118.5 points. Messiah won the team championships with 296.5 points. Lebanon Valley finished third with 115.5 points followed by DeSales with 104 points. Stevenson (33 points) and Hood (2.5 points) rounded out the field.

Spartan sophomore Julia Pena picked up right where she left off as a freshman. When we last saw Pena, she was named the Capital Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year at the 2020 indoor championship. Pena never got a chance to compete during the outdoor season as COVID wiped out the entire Spartan schedule. Pena earned a pair of wins during the day as she captured victory in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.02. She also won the pole vault with a best height of 3.20 meters (10' 6").

Junior Taylor Barkdoll captured a pair of second place finishes as she was the runner up in the 800 and 1500 meter races. Spartan throwers Hayden Divers and Sydney Fitzwater both had strong showings for the Spartans. Divers notched a second in the discus and third in the shot put. Fitzwater had a second in the hammer throw and third in the discus.

Top Five Spartan Finishers

1.  Julia Pena – 100 Meter Hurdles (16.02)

1.  Julia Pena – Pole Vault (3.20 meters / 10' 6")

2. Taylor Barkdoll – 800 Meter Run (2:26.38)

2. Taylor Barkdoll – 1500 Meter Run (5:01.48)

2. Hayden Divers – Discus (35.14 meters / 115' 3")

2. Sydney Fitzwater – Hammer Throw (38.86 meters / 127' 6")

3. Hayden Divers - Shot Put (10.14 meters / 33' 3.25")

3. Sydney Fitzwater – Discus (32.49 meters / 106' 7")

4. Kristin Bria – 100 Meter Dash (14.08)

4. Jordan Haberstroh – 1500 Meter Run (5:13.30)

4. Erin Brown – 400 Meter Hurdles (76.71)

4. Erin Brown, Taylor Barkdoll, Sarah Skane, Cassie Koziolek - 4x400 Relay (4:36.13)

4. Lucy Delker – Hammer Throw (37.92 meters / 124' 5")

5. Becca Fisher – Shot Put (10.02 meter / 32' 2")

5. Amy McGee – Discus (30.38 meters / 99' 8")

Up Next

The Spartans return to action next Saturday when they had to Annville, PA to participate in the Lebanon Valley Spring Invitational. The meet is slated for a 10:00 am start.