Millersville captures runner-up finish behind record-setting performances

Photo by: Slippery Rock Sports Information

Millersville captures runner-up finish behind record-setting performances

5/10/2025 9:18:00 PM | Women's Outdoor Track and Field

By: Ethan Hulsey, Director of Athletic Communications

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - A PSAC Championship record and first-place finish from the 4x400-meter relay team and a first-place finish and school record from sophomore Katelyn Murphy in the 100-meter hurdles propelled Millersville track and field to a runner-up finish at the 2025 PSAC Outdoor Championships.

The Marauders' run at the top of the conference continued Saturday as they followed back-to-back third-place team finishes with their fourth finish of second or better since 2018. It was an all-around performance as the Marauders received scoring from sprints, hurdles, distance, throws, multis, and pole vaulters. Millersville totaled 97 points, topping third-place California (Pa.) by 15.

"The team exceeded expectations and when things went wrong they rallied," said Millersville head coach Andy Young. "Great mental toughness, great team support, and great energy."

Millersville capped its banner day with a meet record time and NCAA provisional qualifying time of 3:45.94 in the 4x400, winning by nearly four seconds, and breaking the meet record by more than a full second. Milan Snell ran the opening leg, followed by 400-meter runner-up Jillian Sydnor. Aubrey Sydnor then handed the baton to anchor Shelby Derkosh, who cruised across the finish line for 10 team points.

"The 4x400 winning and setting the championship record was definitely a cherry on top of this championship," said Young. "An NCAA mark to boot."

The 400 runners piled up points as individuals as well. Jillian Sydnor was the PSAC runner-up with a time of 55.21. Derkosh took fifth in 56.61. Aubrey Sydnor placed seventh in 56.94, and Snell took eighth in 59.03.

The younger Sydnor and Snell were among the Millersville underclassmen who starred on the final day. Murphy's 14.31 in 100-meter hurdles not only took first place, but it also tied the school record set by Arianna Camel in 2018. Murphy became Millersville's first PSAC champ in the 100 hurdles since Erin Madison in 2016.

Freshman Aasly De Leon placed fifth in the 100-meter dash (12.06) and the 200-meter dash (24.69).

"We got some great contributions from our first-year athletes," said Young. "Jillian Sydnor, Aasly and Milan had a great impact. The future is bright for the team, and we appreciate our large group of seniors and their contributions."

Millersville's dominant throws group continued to provide significant scoring. Sarah Hessler finished off a weekend with three All-PSAC honors by placing third in the shot put (43-3 3/4). Senior Megan Malecki scored an All-PSAC honor by finishing third in the pole vault. She cleared the same height (12-4 1/2) as winner Allison Taylor and runner-up Coral Shivok, but missed on her first attempt.

Malecki was among the Marauders who finished the season with NCAA provisional qualifying marks. The group also included Jillian Sydnor in the 400, Maddy Downs and Hessler and the discus, Hessler in the hammer, and the 4x400 relay team.