McDonald Ties School Record as Mountaineers Compete at Penn State Open

Friday, January 30

University Park, Pa.

11:00 a.m.

West Virginia University

Penn State National Open

McDonald Ties School Record as Mountaineers Compete at Penn State Open

January 31, 2026 06:30 PM | Track & Field

Final Results

By: Jaret Dyer

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team delivered multiple standout performances at the Penn State Open, highlighted by a tied school record in the high jump and first-place finishes in both the mile and 3,000 meters.

Annishka McDonald continued her standout indoor season by tying her own school record in the high jump, clearing 1.79 meters to place second overall. McDonald originally set the WVU program record just two weeks ago on Jan. 17.

Mercy Kinyanjui delivered one of the top performances of the meet, winning the 3000 meters with a time of 9:04.16. The mark moves Kinyanjui into fifth place on WVU's all-time indoor performance list. Ronis Chelangat added an 11th-place finish in the event at 9:28.81, while Alyssa Sauro placed 19th in 9:37.37.

Joy Naukot led the Mountaineers in the mile, capturing first place with a time of 4:36.59. Her performance also ranks fifth all time in program history. Tatiana Moura competed in the event as well, finishing 24th in 4:57.12.

West Virginia opened the meet with a solid performance in the pentathlon, as Olivia Cress placed fifth overall with a total of 3,749 points.

In sprint action, Izayah Everett finished 51st in the 60 meters (7.94) and later placed 28th in the 200 meters with a time of 25.27. Lily Haught clocked a 57.78 in the 400 meters to finish 19th and added a 32nd-place finish in the 200 meters at 25.45. Cate Pickering, Audrey Thomas and Mae Nelson rounded out WVU's efforts in the 400, finishing 40th (1:00.08), 46th (1:00.57) and 49th (1:02.89), respectively.

In the field events, Sabria Jones led WVU in the long jump with a 13th-place finish at 5.53 meters, while Eva Craigie placed 22nd at 5.36 meters. Alicia Hall recorded a 15th-place finish in the triple jump with a mark of 11.29 meters.

The Mountaineers also competed in the 1,000 meters, where Kishay Rowe finished ninth in 2:49.79. Eva Rinker placed 10th at 2:56.75 and Mary Delaney finished 14th.

WVU capped the meet with a 10th-place finish in the 4×400-meter relay, as the quartet of Haught, Craigie, Everett and Rowe posted a time of 3:48.27.

Penn State Open Results
Pentathlon
5th – Olivia Cress – 3,749
60m
51st – Izayah Everett – 7.94
60th – Sierra Heisey – 8.17
Mile
1st – Joy Naukot – 4:36.59
24th – Tatiana Moura – 4:57.12
400m
19th – Lily Haught – 57.78
40th – Cate Pickering – 1:00.08
46th – Audrey Thomas – 1:00.57
49th – Mae Nelson – 1:02.89
Long Jump
13th – Sabria Jones – 5.53m
22nd – Eva Craigie – 5.36m
1000m
9th – Kishay Rowe – 2:49.79
10th – Eva Rinker – 2:56.75
14th – Mary Delaney – 2:52.73
200m
28th – Izayah Everett – 25.27
32nd – Lily Haught – 25.45
38th – Cate Pickering – 25.63
51st – Eva Craigie – 26.15
55th – Sierra Heisey – 26.40
59th – Mae Nelson – 26.93
60th – Audrey Thomas – 27.16
3000m
1st – Mercy Kinyanjui – 9:04.16
11th – Ronis Chelangat – 9:28.81
19th – Alyssa Sauro – 9:37.37
4x400m
10th – Lily Haught, Eva Craigie, Izayah Everett, Kishay Rowe – 3:48.27
High Jump
2nd – Annishka McDonald – 1.79m
Triple Jump
15th – Alicia Hall – 11.29m

Up next, the Mountaineers will return to University Park, Pa. on Feb. 7 for the Sykes & Sabock Challenge.