April 16, 2011
Results
AUBURN, Ala./WALNUT, Calif.: April 16, 2011 - Successful efforts in the distance races highlighted day one of a full weekend of action for the Nittany Lion track and field squads, Friday at the War Eagle Invitational at Auburn University, and the Mt. SAC Relays, at Mount San Antonio College. Among the performances was a second-place effort from freshman Bekka Simko (Mentor, Ohio) in the women's 1500-meters at Auburn, as well as an outstanding finish from junior Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, N.Y.) in the same event on the West Coast. Senior Karlee McQuillen (Johnstown, Pa.) and freshman Laura Loht (McClure, Pa.) fared well in the field events, placing first and third, respectively, in the women's javelin throw at Auburn.
On the men's side, senior Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) led the way for the Nittany Lions, placing third in the men's hammer throw at Auburn with a personal-best toss of 201-9 (61.50). The effort also ranks as the third-best performance in the event in school history, as well as the fifth farthest in the Big Ten this season. Also putting up a season-best performance in the throws was McQuillen, who posted a mark of 164-6 (50.14) to extend her conference lead. Loht finished third with a toss of 143-8 (43.80).
Simko kicked to a personal-best 4:35.68 for second in the 1500 at Auburn, while fellow milers Nick Scarpello (Jamison, Pa.), Tyler Corkedale (West Windsor, N.J.), and Connor Revord (Tampa, Fla.) took sixth, seventh, and ninth in the men's invitational 1500, running 3:53.36, 3:53.72, and 3:54.90, respectively. Lane and senior Samuel Borchers (Yellow Springs, Ohio) also managed a pair of solid 1500s on the left coast, with Lane running 4:23.07 to finish 13th in the women's Olympic Development Elite section at Mt. Sac, while Borchers finished the same distance in 3:49.26. Senior Maura Ryan (Doylestown, Pa.) also held her own in the distances, finishing second in her Mt. SAC heat of the 800-meters in 2:09.54.
Action continues on Saturday at both competitions. For more on Nittany Lion track and field, log on to www.GoPSUsports.com.