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It could have possibly been the longest track and field meet of the weekend with a 1 pm start that saw athletes still competing at 10 pm, but Jahniya Bowers left the meet as the fastest woman in the NCAA after week one.

The defending Horizon League indoor 60 meters champ of Youngstown State ran a preliminary leading time of 7.27. Only three NCAA sprinters completed the 60 meters under 7.30 during the weekend. Both Victoria Perrow of Kentucky and Kiara Grant of Clemson won their respective meets at 7.29. Bowers also recorded a time of 7.28 in the final round which allowed her to win at the YSU Invitational. The Youngstown native who is a senior criminal justice major is the school record holder in the 60 meters with a time of 7.25 seconds.

Bowers sprinted ahead of a pack that included runner-up Divonne Franklin of California (Pa.) (7.40) and Walsh's Kya Epps (7.53). Pitt's Imani Clark was fourth at 7.62.

Nia Williams-Matthews, another Horizon League defending champion had a strong season opening showing in the triple jump. She hit a mark of 12.08 and was the only competitor out of 32 who landed over 12 meters. Williams-Matthews beat out runner-up Delaney Beard of Clarion (11.53) and Frostburg State's Omokemi Balogun (11.52) who placed third. Williams-Mathews has been one of the most dominant triple jumpers in the Horizon League over the past two seasons. She won the indoor gold last season and the outdoor silver at the conference championships. She was second during the 2021 outdoor Horizon League meet as well.

"[I'm feeling] pretty good from last year," Williams-Matthews said. "Now I'm getting consistent 12 meters, so it's a good start to the season." The junior from Rochester, New York said that she is looking to sweep the indoor and outdoor conference championships in the triple jump this season.

Youngstown State hurdler Madison Murry crossed paths with a high school rival in the 60-meter hurdles as previous Ohio high school state champ, Pitt's Folake Olujide-Ajibade showed up to compete. This time Murry got the best of Olujide-Ajibade who placed third at 8.73 in the final round. Murry ran her best season opening 60-meter hurdles final time of 8.50. Both hurdlers were high school stars in the Columbus area, with Murry competing for Franklin Heights and Olujide-Ajibade for Dublin Scioto.

Murry has had a decorated career as a collegiate athlete. She won the Horizon League indoor championship in the 60-meter hurdles as a freshman in 2021. In 2022 Murry earned a silver medal in the 60-meter hurdles before winning her first outdoor title in the 100-meter hurdles at the Horizon League meet.

Along with Olujide-Ajibade other Pitt athletes performed well. The 1,600-meter relay squad for the Panthers were successful, winning the event at 3:47.82, behind the legs of Imani Clark, Caleia Johnson, Sydney McCallum and Alma Evuna Eki. They placed ahead of Duquesne (3:56.84) and Youngstown State (4:00.38) which finished second and third in a field of 27 teams.

Another Olujide-Ajibade shined as Foluke, Folake's sister, won the the weight throw at 17.32. Last season Foluke competed in the weight throw and recorded a mark of 17.94 which was third. This year's win saw her finish ahead of Duquesne's Ezra Johnson-Mills who posted a throw of 16.70 and Lake Erie's Richella Spielvogel 16.62.