Centennial Memory #34
Calo, Duplay-Bank Named First Women's Track & Field All-Americans
In 1983, Kathy Calo became the first female All-American in
track and field for her efforts in the javelin. Her NCAA finish
came on the heels of three consecutive Mid-American Conference
championships in the event. Calo’s heave of
173’-7” in 1983 still stands as the fourth-best mark in
school history.
Ten years later, the women’s squad got its first
All-American in track events. Middle-distance runner Debbie
Duplay-Blank was named All-American in the 800 meters in 1993. She
also was recognized on the All-MAC cross country team in 1992,
while her 800 time of 2:05.32 in 1993 ranks second in Kent State
annals.
Calo was inducted into the Kent State Varsity “K” Hall
of Fame in 1991, while Duplay-Blank was elected in 2001.
With Diana Dumitrescu’s eighth-place finish in the
pentathlon at the recent 2010 NCAA Indoor Track & Field
Championships, the Golden Flashes women’s program can now lay
claim to 29 All-America citations (indoor & outdoor), including
three in the last two years alone.
Check back with kentstatesports.com for more Top 50 memories throughout the year.
