May 13, 2010
Host Championship Page | Meet Notes | Big Ten Performance List
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.: May 11, 2010 - Coming off conference victories in cross country, and indoor track and field during the 2009-10 academic year, the Nittany Lion women's track and field team will look to make it three in-a-row at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, set for May 14-16, at Indiana University. The Nittany Lion women, who are up to No. 7 in the latest United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) rankings, will head to Bloomington with a wealth of Big Ten experience, including multiple-time Big Ten Champions Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio), Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.), and Shavon Greaves (Lakewood, N.J.). The trio played a huge role in the Lions' indoor victory, with Franek winning Athlete of the Championship, and Greaves claiming Athlete of the Year honors. The road to the top will not be an easy one for the Nittany Lions with perennial conference powers Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio State, and host Indiana standing in the way. Both Illinois and Indiana have garnered a top 25 standing in this week's rankings, with the Illini appearing at No. 18, and the Hoosiers listed at 22nd - up 12 spots from a week ago.
About the Meet:
Host: Indiana University
Facility: Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex at E.C. "Billy" Hayes Track
Host Website: www.IUHoosiers.com
Competing Teams (USTFCCCA Rank; 2009 Outdoor Finish):
Women
Illinois (No. 18; 4th)
Indiana (No. 22; 5th)
Iowa (NR; 10th)
Michigan (NR; 2nd)
Michigan State (NR; 7th)
Minnesota (NR; 3rd)
Ohio State (NR; 8th)
Penn State (No. 7; 1st)
Purdue (NR; 6th)
Wisconsin (NR; 9th)
Franek will lead the Nittany Lions in the distances, coming off a conference gold-medal finish in the mile during the indoor season. The current NCAA leader in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 9:54.70, Franek was the Big Ten Champion in the event as a sophomore in 2008. Franek will also take on the field in the 1500- and 5000-meters, along with sophomore Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, Pa.), who boasts an impressive 1500 PR of 4:20.40.
Greaves and Dorr will cover the sprints, along with decorated veteran Aleesha Barber (Decatur, Ga.) - the 2008 Big Ten Champion in the 100-meter hurdles. Greaves is the defending champion in both the 100- and 200-meters, while Dorr was the runner up in the 400-meters, and 400-meter hurdles a year ago. Both Lions own the top times in the conference in their respective events this season.
Junior Karlee McQuillen (Johnstown, Pa.) is also in line for a podium finish, entering the weekend as the top seed in the javelin throw. McQuillen was third as a freshman in 2008, and second as a sophomore in 2009.
The Championships are scheduled to begin with the men's decathlon, on Friday, May 14. For full recaps and results following all three days of competition. Log on to www.GoPSUsports.com.