Feb. 12, 2011
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.: February 12, 2011 - Redshirt sophomore Hanif Johnson (Harrisburg, Pa.) posted a top 10 finish in the invitational triple jump, leading the Nittany Lions on day two of the Tyson Invitational, held at Randal Tyson Track Center on Saturday. Also racing to a top 10 finish was the women's 4x400-meter relay, including sophomore Doris Anyanwu (Beltsville, Md.), junior Ije Iheoma (Holland, Pa.), senior Shavon Greaves (Lakewood, N.J.), and senior Megan Duncan (North Huntingdon, Pa.).
Johnson had an outstanding afternoon, posting four jumps over 15 meters. Johnson's best effort of the day - 51-0 (15.54) - was good for ninth place in an outstanding field. Junior Tanaya Lloyd (Philadelphia, Pa.) also enjoyed a solid standing in the women's "invitational" triple jump, leaping to a personal-indoor best 40-3.25 (12.27). Lloyd's effort was good for 12th overall on the afternoon. Freshman Marlene Ricketts (Old Westbury, N.Y.) placed 17th in the invite section, jumping 38-11.50 (11.87).
Greaves was the top Nittany Lion finisher in the sprints, coming in 13th in the women's 200-meters in 23.69. The Nittany Lions saw four total athletes finish under 25 seconds, with Iheoma running 24.83, Anyanwu finishing in 24.84, and Caitlin Defusco (Schwenksville, Pa.) clocking 24.97. Duncan and Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas) would also compete in the 200, clocking 25.01, and 25.77, respectively.
Penn State would combine to run 3:37.48 in the 4x400 - the Lions' second-fastest effort of the season - placing 10th overall. Iheoma would run the fastest split on the Nittany Lion 4x400, turning in 53.42 readout, while Duncan also ran strong on the anchor, splitting 54.07.
Additional Saturday finishers at Tyson included sophomore Erika Morgan (Chesapeake, Va.), who tied for 10th in the high jump with a clearance of 5-6 (1.68), and junior Dan Sandrowicz (Indiana, Pa.), who place 12th in the college section triple jump.
The Nittany Lions will take next weekend off before traveling to the Big Ten Indoor Championships, slated for February 26-27. The women's competition is slated to be hosted by Purdue University, while the men will travel to the University of Illinois.