Feb. 14, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - After winning the NCAA title in the 4x400-meter relay at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships, the Nittany Lion women continued to uphold their national prowess on Friday, cruising to victory in the event at the Tyson Invitational, at Randal Tyson Track Center.
Back and hungry to compete after a tumble in the open 400 earlier this afternoon, junior Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.) led off for the Lions, coming through with a 54.4 second split to give her team an impressive early lead. Senior Aleesha Barber (Decatur, Ga.) - a member of the Lions' national title team - took the baton the first handoff, and lengthened the gap over solid squads from LSU and Arkansas, covering her 400 meter leg in 53.6.
Next up was sophomore Shavon GReaves (Lakewood, N.J.), who kept her competitors at bay with a 54.1 readout. Senior Gayle Hunter (Riverside, Calif.) - another key leg on the Lions' NCAA winner - sped to a 54.5 split on the anchor, icing a convincing 3:36.77 - nearly three seconds ahead of Arkansas in second and just off the Lions' NCAA leading 3:36.10.
Nittany Lion alumni Shana Cox - who now runs professionally for Adidas - was also in on the action, competing in the women's 300-meters. Cox would finish third in the elite section, running a personal-best 38.00.
Action at Tyson continues tomorrow morning with the women's pole vault at 9:30 a.m.