April 25, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - A victory from John Vellenoweth (Wheeling, W.Va.) and a personal-best shot put effort by Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) highlighted the Nittany Lions' day two of the Penn Relays, Friday at Franklin Field. The Nittany Lions would also record several outstanding performances in the relays, including a second-place finish by the men's distance medley relay, and a third-place showing from the women's sprint medley.
Vellenoweth captured his second event victory in as many weeks, taking the Penn Relays title in the "College" section of the pole vault, clearing 16-6.75 (5.05). Elsewhere in the field, Kovacs launched a career-long 60-9.50 (18.53) in the shot put to claim runner-up honors in the "Eastern" competition. Teammate Blake Eaton (Allegeny, N.Y.) placed third in the same section with an effort of 55-10.50 (17.03), bettering the NCAA regional standard for the first time this season.
Kovacs' mark is the best by a Nittany Lion in the event since 1990 and is rated sixth on the Lions' all-time top ten lists. The effort is also among the top 10 throws nationally in 2009.
In the relays, the men's DMR squad of Tim Johnson (New Cumberland, Pa.), Mike Cadau (Mahanoy City, Pa.), Mike Malizia (Flourtown, Pa.), and Vince McNally (Smoketown, Pa.) managed runner-up honors in the college section, running 9:44.48 to finish second to Virginia.
The women's sprint medley would also hold their own, earning bronze medal honors in the Championship of America section. The Nittany Lions got great efforts from Shavon GReaves (Lakewood, N.J.) and Gayle Hunter (Riverside, Calif.) on the 200-meters legs, with Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.) turning in an outstanding 53.0 second split on the 400-meter portion. Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) closed on the 800-meter leg, finishing the effort in 3:50.54 - the third-fastest effort in Lion history.
Back in the field, Emma Schmelzer (Bloomington, Ill.) turned in a sixth-place finish in the Championship discus, recording a mark of 158-1 (48.20).
The Lions will wrap up action tomorrow at Franklin Field, with many Penn State relays and individuals scheduled to compete.