Feb. 24, 2011
Big Ten Women's Championship Central at Purdue | Big Ten Men's Championship Central at Illinois
Big Ten Moments: Brooklyne Ridder and Hanif Johnson | Blake Eaton and Doris Anyanwu
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion track and field program will split its men's and women's squads this weekend, traveling to the Big Ten Men's Indoor Championships at the University of Illinois, and the Big Ten Women's Indoor Championships at Purdue University. The Nittany Lion men are currently ranked 10th in the country according to the latest United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) rankings, while the Penn State women are the defending Big Ten Indoor Champions, after capturing last year's Big Ten "Triple Crown" with wins in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field. Competition is slated for Saturday and Sunday, February 26-27.
This video clip is the third in a series of four "Big Ten Moments," in which selected men's and women's team members will recall their most memorable moment from throughout their careers. Today's video features senior and three-time Big Ten 800-meter champion Ryan Foster (Tasmania, Australia), and junior pole vaulter Jocelyn Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.). Both will represent the Nittany Lions in conference competition this weekend. Log on to www.GoPSUsports.com throughout the week for more "Big Ten Moments" from Nittany Lion track and field.
Foster has won a trio of Big Ten titles over his Nittany Lion career, including the last two indoor conference 800-meter crowns. The Tasmania, Australia, native has impressed already in 2011, setting a new Penn State record in the mile run, with an NCAA automatic-qualifying 3:58.49. Foster has also been wildly successful on the NCAA level, scoring two All-America finishes in the 800, including a bronze-medal effort at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships. For his career, Foster owns a personal-indoor best 1:47.32 for 800, which also stands as the Penn State indoor record.
Witmer has been one of Penn State's most consistent pole vaulters at conference events over her first two years as a Nittany Lion, scoring seventh-place finishes at both the Big Ten Indoor and Outdoor Championships, helping the Nittany Lions to team titles at both competitions. The junior has cleared 12-2.50 (3.72) on the season - a top 10 performance among Big Ten competitors. Witmer enjoyed an outstanding 2010 season, qualifying for her first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a personal-best clearance of 12-9.50 (3.90) at the NCAA First Round.