April 28, 2011
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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Junior Anya Uzoh (Laurel, Md.) scored a career-best 7045 points to earn runner-up honors in the men's decathlon, Wednesday, at the Penn Relays Multi-Events at Franklin Field. Freshman Brittney Howell (Wyncote, Pa.) led the way on the women's side, placing third overall in the women's heptathlon, followed by teammates Kelsey Couts (Powell, Ohio), and Kaitchen Dearborn (New Milford, Pa.) in fifth and ninth, respectively. All three Nittany Lions totaled personal bests in the effort.
Uzoh's career day included personal bests in three of Wednesday's five events, starting the day off with a PR 15.74 in the 110-meter hurdles to add 762 points to his total. Uzoh followed up with a throw of 104-11 (31.98) in the discus - worth 504 points - and continue on personal-record pace with a season-best clearance of 13-9.25 (4.20), good for 673.
The junior turned in another career-best effort in the javelin, going 157-9 (48.08) for another 560 points, and closed out the 10-event competition by clocking a PR 4:36.78 in the 1500-meters, to add a final 701 points. Uzoh's 7045 is the 10th-best score in Penn State history, while the junior stands seventh in the Big Ten this season.
Howell racked up a career-best total of 4604 - just 134 points behind winner Kelly Curtis of Springfield College with 4738. Meanwhile, Couts turned in a 4301-point PR for fifth, while Dearborn totaled 3695 in ninth. Howell's performance currently sits sixth in the conference, while Couts is among the top 10 in ninth.
Howell's afternoon included performances of 17-1.25 (5.21) in the long jump, 92-9 (28.29) in the javelin, and 2:33.22 for the 800-meters, while Couts went 14-11.25 (4.55), 96-7 (29.45), and 2:38.05 for the final three heptathlon events. Dearborn's day was highlighted by a solid effort of 142-9 (43.53) in the javelin in her first heptathlon appearance.
Action at Franklin Field continues tomorrow morning, beginning with the opening event of the 117th Penn Relays - the women's 400-meter hurdles at 10:00 a.m.
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