PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Kiara Howell continued her recent slate of strong performances in the throwing events as she placed third in the college javelin throw on Friday at the Penn Relays.
 
Howell's personal-best throw of 44.49 meters (145 feet, 11 inches) was bested by just two other competitors in the field of 30, Shelby Freedman of South Carolina (45.93m/150-8) and Doren Welch of LSU (44.96m/147-6).
 
Howell's effort in the javelin came one day after she set a new school record en route to a seventh-place finish in the discus. Howell's best discus throw on Thursday traveled 48.25 meters (158-3). Howell came into this weekend as the MEAC's No. 1 ranked athlete in both the discus and javelin.
 
Howell capped her week at the Penn Relays by notching a top throw of 12.64 meters (41-5.75) in the shot put, placing 34th out of 50.
 
Also on Friday, Kaydianne McKenzie finished 26th in the college triple jump (11.74m/38-6.25). The Spartans' only relay team at the meet, the 4x100 team of McKenzie, Brittney McCants, Torie Cunningham and Jazmine Vaughan, ran a time of 48.12 seconds to place fourth in its heat (42nd overall out of 98 teams).
 
The Spartans return to action at the MEAC Outdoor Championships next Thursday through Saturday in Greensboro, N.C.