MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team completed the first day at the PSU National Open at the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Friday.
 
The Mountaineers' night was highlighted by a win from senior Sara Finfrock in the women's pole vault. WVU also saw redshirt senior Meghan Jean-Baptiste compete in the pentathlon and freshman McKenna Smith advance to the semifinals of the women's 60-meter dash.
 
"Our day was somewhat flat," WVU coach Sean Cleary said. "We had a few strong performances, but for the most part, we need to simply come back tomorrow and be better. McKenna did a nice job qualifying for the second round of the dash in her WVU debut at this distance. Meghan had a very nice day in the multi; this was a very nice step for her."
 
Finfrock recorded a winning mark of 3.65 meters (11 feet, 11.75 inches) in the women's pole vault, earning her first victory of the season in the event. Freshman Ellie Gardner, who broke her own freshman indoor school record in the event at last week's YSU College Invitational, finished in second place with a mark of 3.50 meters (11 feet, 5.75 inches). Senior Rebekah Lafata also recorded a mark of 3.50 meters, finishing fifth due to a judge's decision. 
 
"The vaulters have been very strong this season, but they were just a touch off tonight," Cleary said. "They have a week to get back out there and rebuild their momentum. Maddie (Gardner), of course, will compete in the invitational section of the vault tomorrow."
 
Jean-Baptiste, who competed in the pentathlon, earned a pair of second-place showings in the women's pentathlon 60-meter hurdles and pentathlon long jump, as well as a third-place finish in the pentathlon high jump. The Fairfax, Virginia, native earned a time of 8.92 seconds in the pentathlon 60-meter hurdles to place second before registering a third-place mark of 1.64 meters (5 feet, 4.5 inches) in the pentathlon high jump.
 
Later, Jean-Baptiste tallied a mark of 5.55 meters (18 feet, 2.5 inches) in the pentathlon long jump to earn her second runner-up finish of the evening. Jean-Baptiste also competed in the women's pentathlon shot put, finishing fifth.
 
Junior Danique Bryan made her 2017-18 indoor season debut in the women's long jump on Friday, registering a mark of 5.62 meters (18 feet, 5.25 inches) for sixth place.
 
"It was nice to see Danique competing in the long jump," Cleary said. "After a few weeks out due to a slight injury, she will find her stride over the next month."
 
Additionally, Smith made her 60-meter dash debut for the Mountaineers, earning a time of 7.80 seconds in the first round, finishing 11th to qualify for the semifinals. The Bridgeport, West Virginia, native then clocked in at 7.81 seconds for 14th in the semifinal round.
 
The Mountaineers are one of 25 teams competing in the two-day event, which features No. 25 Penn State, Akron, Army West Point, Ashland, Binghamton, Bucknell, Buffalo, Coppin State, Duquesne, La Salle, Lebanon Valley, Maryland, Monmouth, Mount St. Mary's, Muhlenberg, Norfolk State, Pitt-Johnstown, Richmond, Saint Joseph's, Temple, Towson, UMBC, Vermont and Washington & Jefferson.
 
The Mountaineers will compete in the final day of the PSU National Open on Saturday with events set to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET. Live stats will be available at FloTrack.org.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.