April 24, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Junior Kara Millhouse (Boiling Springs, Pa.) and sophomore Natalie Bower (Pleasant Unity, Pa.) picked up individual titles in their respective events, leading the Nittany Lion efforts on day one of the Jesse Owens Classic, Saturday on the campus of Ohio State University. Elsewhere, senior Blake Eaton (Allegany, N.Y.) and redshirt-junior Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) enjoyed lifetime-best throws in the men's discus, headlining the Penn State performances in the field events.
After setting school record in the 10,000-meters last month, Millhouse dropped in distance to notch an event win in the 1500-meters, clocking a career-best 4:23.79 - the second-fastest time by a Nittany Lion this year, and sixth best in the Big Ten this year. Redshirt-freshman Connor Revord (Tampa, Fla.) was the top finisher in the event on the men's side, turning in a fifth-place finish with a personal-best 3:49.34.
Bower paced the Nittany Lions in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, leading a one-two-three sweep by the Penn State contingent, along with teammates Emily Giannotti (Coudersport, Pa.) and Lindsey Graybill (Macungie, Pa.). Bower broke the tape in 10:22.42 - less than a second off her personal-best 10:21.87. Giannotti and Graybill both recorded lifetime bests, taking second and third in 10:43.24, and 10:43.54, respectively.
The Nittany Lions throws contingent also provided a bevy of outstanding efforts, led by Eaton and Kovacs - along with teammate Will Barr (Urbana, Ohio) - combining for a two-three-four finish in the men's discus, also finishing as the top three collegiate competitors in the field. Eaton led the way with a lifetime-best 186-3 (56.78) - a personal record by over 20 feet. Kovacs recorded a PR in the event for the second-straight week, going 184-0 (56.08). The duo also moved up the all-time Nittany Lion top 10 list in the event, now standing fourth and fifth, respectively, as well as second and third in the conference this year. Barr turned in a fourth-place effort with a throw 178-2 (54.30), coming within a foot of his career best. Freshman Taylor McNally (Ennis, Mt.) led the Nittany Lion women with an eighth-place finish in the discus, thanks to a PR toss of 151-9 (46.25).
Senior Karlee McQuillen (Johnstown, Pa.) grabbed a runner-up finish in the women's javelin, via a season-best 169-5 (51.63), while also extending her 2011 conference lead. McQuillen led a trio of Nittany Lions in the top six, followed by freshmen Laura Loht (McClure, Pa.), and Megan Boyer (Millersburg, Pa.) in fourth and sixth. On the men's side, Eli Skinner (Jersey Shore, Pa.) and Duri Greene (Wyndmoor, Pa.) provided a two-three finish with Skinner tossing a PR 203-3 (61.96), and Greene marking a season-best 195-7 (59.62).
Action picks back up tomorrow morning, beginning with the men's pole vault at 10:30 a.m. For more on Nittany Lion track and field, log on to www.GoPSUsports.com.