Aug. 17, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Rising junior Gayle Hunter (Riverside, Calif.) and Nittany Lion alum and volunteer Ryan Olkowski (Baltimore, Md.) will represent the United States overseas this weekend, competing in the annual USA vs. Germany heptathlon and decathlon, set for August 18-19 in Bernhausen, Germany.
Both Hunter and Olkowski were invited to attend the event following outstanding performances at the USATF National Championships in Indianapolis in June. Hunter finished seventh among heptathlon entrants at the national meet with a total of 5600 points. Hunter had a sensational sophomore year collegiate ranks, finishing in All-America status at the NCAA Outdoor Championship with a school-record total of 5711 points, good for eighth-place overall. Olkowski, a three-time All-American during his Lion career, placed 10th at USAs, totaling 7503. Olkowski's personal-best score in the decathlon is 7895.
Hunter joins a talented group of six women on the trip, including NCAA champ Jacquelyn Johnson of Arizona State. The men will also field an outstanding group, all of whom finished in the top 10 at the US Championships.