June 25, 2011
EUGENE, Ore. - Rising sophomores Emily Giannotti (Coudersport, Pa.) and Laura Loht (McClure, Pa.) notched top four finishes in the junior women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, and junior women's javelin throw, respectively, highlighting the Nittany Lion effort at the USATF Outdoor Championships, Saturday at Historic Hayward Field. On the senior level, Karlee McQuillen (Johnstown, Pa.) capped her Penn State career, placing eighth in the women's javelin throw.
McQuillen, who ends her run with the Nittany Lions with three NCAA All-America finishes to her credit, recorded a toss of 170-1 (51.84) on her second attempt, and held on for eighth place on the day. McQuillen's effort was also her second-farthest throw of the 2011 outdoor season. Loht performed under pressure in the junior javelin effort, launching her best throw of the day on her last attempt of the preliminary round and qualifying for the eight-woman final. Loht's top toss of the day was 150-8 (45.94).
Gianotti earned bronze-medal standing in the steeplechase, thanks to a finishing time of 10:51.58. Giannotti continues the outstanding Nittany Lion steeplechase tradition on the national level, with former NCAA champion Bridget Franek scheduled to race in the women's senior steeplechase final on Sunday.
Marlene Ricketts (Westbury, N.Y.) also fared well in the junior events, taking sixth place in the women's triple jump. Ricketts' best effort of the day was 40-2.75 (12.26) - just four inches outside of a top three finish.
Action in Eugene concludes on Sunday, with shot put standouts Blake Eaton (Allegany, N.Y.) and Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) slated to start at 12:55 p.m., PDT, and 800-meter specialists Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.), and Samuel Borchers (Yellow Springs, Ohio) set to go at 2:27 p.m., PDT.
The meet will be featured live on NBC from 5:00-6:00 p.m., EDT, on Sunday evening.
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