April 5, 2009
Results
TUCSON, Ariz.: April 4, 2009 - The Nittany Lion track and field teams opened the 2009 outdoor campaign in a big way, recording a dozen NCAA regional-qualifying performances and several event wins, Saturday at the Jim Click Shootout at Roy Drachman Stadium. Among the many highlights on the afternoon, juniors Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) and Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.) turned in two wins a piece, with Franek taking the 800- and 1500-meters, and Dorr capturing the 400-meters and 400-meter hurdles.
Franek would record an outstanding finishing lap to run away from the 1500-meter field, winning in a regional-qualifying 4:24.48 Just over an hour later, the junior would come back to win the 800, thanks to a late surge down the homestretch to finish in 2:11.60, just ahead of teammate Liz Kearins (Doylestown, Pa.), who took second in 2:13.39. Freshman Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, N.Y.) also posted an outstanding double, finishing fourth in the 800 and fifth in the1500.
Dorr was just as impressive, taking the 400 in 55.25, before recording a victory in the 400 hurdles in 1:00.98. But Dorr wasn't finished, as she was also a member of the winning 4x400-meter relay, which included Gayle Hunter (Riverside, Calif.), Dorr, Megan Duncan (North Huntingdon, Pa.), and Shavon GReaves (Lakewood, N.J.). Hunter also had a productive weekend, hitting the NCAA automatic standard in the heptathlon on Friday, posting regional marks in the 100-meter hurdles and long jump in the process.
Greaves also had a sensational afternoon, taking silver-medal honors in both the 100- and 200-meters, clocking regional qualifiers in both events with finishing times of 11.64, and 23.93. Hunter - who posted an NCAA automatic-qualifying score in the heptathlon on Friday - added two regional qualifiers of her own during the combined events competition on Thursday and Friday, recording NCAA marks in both the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump.
One of the more impressive outings of the afternoon was the javelin throw, as a total of four Lion athletes recorded regional qualifiers, including sophomore Karlee McQuillen (Johnstown, Pa.), who won the women's event with a throw of 161-0 (49.08). Kim Hanslovan (DuBois, Pa.) followed in second at 159-5 (48.59), while freshman Mattie Pancoast (West Chester, Pa.) took four with a mark of 143-11 (43.86). On the men's side, Tanner Evak (State College, Pa.) launched a personal-best and regional-qualifying 230-9 (70.33) to take second in the event.
The Nittany Lion throws squad saw two more regional performances on the afternoon, coming from Emma Schmelzer (Bloomington, Ill.), who posted a throw of 166-8 (50.80) to win the discus, and Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.), who recorded a toss of 55-10.25 (17.02) to finished third in the shot put.
Also in the field, Ryan Fritz (Parkesburg, Pa.) turned in a winning effort in the high jump with a regional-qualifying clearance of 7-0.50 (2.15), whilel Clarence Smith (Coatesville, Pa.) signed his name to the NCAA list in the triple jump with a leap of 50-3.25 (15.32) - good for second place on the day.
The Nittany Lions made a stellar showing in the 800, taking four of the top six places, including a winning effort from Ryan Foster (Tasmania, Australia), who finished in 1:50.85. Foster led a solid effort from the middle distance contingent, with Lionel Williams (Staten Island, N.Y.) in second, Owen Dawson (Coatesville, Pa.) in fourth, and Mike Malizia (Flourtown, Pa.) in sixth.
The Lions will stay close to home next weekend, competing at the Bison Outdoor Classic at Bucknell University of April 10-11.