May 9, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.: May 9, 2008 - Looking to get one final competition under their belts prior to the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, the Nittany Lion Track and Field teams will host their first home meet of the season this weekend with the Penn State Open on May 10, at Nittany Lion Track. Nearly 10 teams will come to Happy Valley for the competition, which is slated to begin at 11 a.m., Saturday. Teams in town this weekend are scheduled to include Albright, Clarion, Hagerstown CC, IUP, Lock Haven, Maryland, Susquehanna, Temple and Ursinus.
The Lions are coming off an outstanding weekend at the Jesse Owens Classic at Ohio State, were many Penn State athletes managed to record season bests and regional qualifying marks. Senior and Big Ten leader in three events Shana Cox (Westbury, N.Y.) highlighted the weekend, winning three events in Columbus, earning Big Ten and Penn State Athlete of the Week honors for her efforts.
Also providing standout efforts in Columbus and ready to go again this weekend, are Gayle Hunter (Riverside, Calif.), Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.), and Aleesha Barber (Decatur, Ga.). Hunter posted a PR 20-10 (6.35) in the long jump - one of top 20 jumps in the NCAA this season - as well as a regional-qualifying mark in the 100-meter hurdles. Dorr captured a victory in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking a personal-best 58.77, while Barber recorded a wind-aided 13.21 in the 100 hurdles, a performance that stands 14th nationally.
Looking to build upon outstanding performances from the Ohio State meet on the men's side are Ron Jules (Tom's River, N.J.), Clarence Smith (Coatesville, Pa.), and Ryan Taylor (Spanish Town, Jamaica). Smith, the reigning Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week, managed a PR 52-2.75 (15.92) in the triple jump, climbing to 13th in the national rankings. Taylor also provided a regional mark, going 49-5 (15.06) in the same event. Jules managed a winded-aided 13.96 in the 110-meter hurdles, dipping under the 14-second barrier for the first time in his already successful career.
Action at Nittany Lion Track begins as 11:00 a.m., Saturday with the field events. Running events will get underway at 12 p.m.