April 18, 2009
AUBURN, Ala. - Paced by nine new NCAA regional-qualifying performances and four NCAA improvements, the Nittany Lion track and field teams enjoyed another successful weekend of action, Saturday at War Eagle Invitational at Auburn University. Along those improving who punching their tickets to the NCAA Regional Championships, the Nittany Lions also recorded four event wins, including Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, N.Y.) and Tim Johnson (New Cumberland, Pa.) in the 1500-meters, John Vellenoweth (Wheeling, W.Va.) in the pole vault, Emma Schmelzer (Bloomington, Ill.) in the discus, and Karlee McQuillen (Johnstown, Pa.) in the javelin.
"The War Eagle Invitational was another solid outing for the Penn State track and field teams," said Director and Head Coach of Track and Field Beth Alford-Sullivan. "Those who qualified for regionals took advantage of weather and competition to propel their seasons to the postseason. Both teams are doing a great job and are really poised and excited for the upcoming Penn Relay."
Lane displayed exceptional front-running for a freshman, taking the lead from the gun and capping off an impressive run with an outstanding finishing kick to finish in a regional-qualifying and PR 4:26.38. Teammate Meghan Noecker (Muhlenberg, Pa.) made it a one-two finish for the Nittany Lions, taking runner-up honors in 4:30.94.
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Johnson would finish off the Lion sweep in the event, powering through an outstanding final lap, to break the tape with a personal-best 3:46.02. Fuller and McNally also turned on the engines down the homestretch, finishing in 3:47.42, and 3:47.73, respectively - sneaking under the regional standard of 3:47.80. All three performances - which were career bests for all three athletes - are among the top 10 in the Big Ten this season.
The Lions would get yet another regional qualifier in the middle distances from Lionel Williams (Staten Island, N.Y.) in the 800-meters. Williams clocked 1:50.28 for the half mile, becoming the third Lion to qualify in the event this season.
Junior Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.) would make her way to the NCAA list for the first time this season, running a sizzling 58.38 in the 400-meter hurdles. Dorr's effort was enough for third place in an outstanding field.
In the pole vault, Vellenoweth cleared the regional height of 16-6.75 (5.05) before raising the bar to clear a career-best 17-00.25 (5.20) and win the competition. Vellenoweth's record clearance is currently the second-best performance in the conference. The Penn State women's vault contingent also had a solid outing led by Jocelyn Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.), who cleared 12-1.50 (3.70) to take foruth place overall.
Senior Gayle Hunter (Riverside, Calif.) also had an outstanding day overall, improving her NCAA standing in two events. Hunter began the day with a leap of 20-0.25 (6.10) in the long jump, improving upon her regional-qualifying mark from earlier in the season. Hunter would also better her season-best in the 100-meter hurdles, going 13.60 in the preliminaries, before improving once again in the finals with an effort of 13.55. The senior ended her afternoon running 23.88 in the 200-meters - just off her season-best 23.78. Hunter would take third place in all three events. Sophomore Bianca Fung (North Babylon, N.Y.) also eclipsed the NCAA qualifier in the long jump, going 19-8.25 (6.00) - good for fifth place on the afternoon.
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McQuillen led a solid Lion effort in the javelin, posting a season-best 162-3 (49.46) to win the event - her second victory in as many attempts this season. Classmate Kim Hanslovan (DuBois, Pa.) followed in third with a toss of 153-2 (46.70), while freshman Mattie Pancoast (West Chester, Pa.) finished fifth with a mark of 136-10 (41.70). Elsewhere in the throws, Schmelzer added another win to the Lion total, taking the discus in 161-4 (49.18). Schmelzer would also achieve the regional mark in the shot put for the first time this season, posting a mark of 47-7 (14.50) - good for third place on the day. Junior Adam Thielemann (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) turned in a second-place finish in the men's discus with a 162-10 (49.64), finishing as the top collegian in the field.
Senior Clarence Smith (Coatesville, Pa.) recorded a season-best 50-10.75 (15.51) in the triple jump, finishing as the top collegian and second overall. Smith's performance is also tops in the Big Ten this season. Rookie Hanif Johnson (Harrisburg, Pa.) came up just short of regional status, finishing fifth with a jump of 48-11.75 (14.93) - less than three inches shy of the NCAA mark.
The Lions continue the outdoor season next weekend at the Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania. Action in the multi-events begins on Tuesday, with the rest of the competition running from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25.