NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--Senior Shannon Parks set a new school record in the weight throw as the Keene State College track and field teams opened the 2021-22 season at the Smith College Winter Classic at the Indoor Track and Tennis Facility.

Parks threw the weight 14.67 meters, beating RPI's Morgan Daley by .37 meters and breaking a 20 year old mark, previously set at 13.93 meters by Christine Leggett in 2001.  Parks also won the shot put with a throw of 11.77 meters.  As of Friday evening, that weight throw was the 15th best mark in the nation.  

Sarah Ames marked her collegiate track debut with a fine finish in the mile, placing second in a time of 5:39.10.  Ames was also fourth in the 800 meter run in 2:37.36.  Grace Furlong was sixth in the 3,000 meters in 11:46.83, 

In men's action, Jake Pearl was second in the 3,000 meters in 9:03.55, and the men's 4x200 meter relay was second in 1:41.02.  Kyle Maruca, competing for the first time as an Owl, was fifth in the shot put in 12.18 meters, while Dylan Harden was sixth in the triple jump at 12.06 meters.   Dawson Hamele was in a tie for second in the high jump at 1.78 meters.

The meet was non-scoring.   Keene State is now off until January 8, when they will compete in the Dartmouth Relays.