July 5, 2011
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Sizzling middle-distance races highlighted the results at the annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic, Friday at Swangard Stadium, including personal-best efforts from Nittany Lion standouts Ryan Foster (Tasmania, Australia), and Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.). Former Nittany Lion Fawn Dorr also competed, scoring a top five finish in the women's 400-meters.
Loxsom outlasted a stellar field in the 800-meters, finishing second with a PR 1:45.28 - which also betters his own school record in the event. The run was Loxsom's third dip under the 1:46-barrier in the last three weeks, including efforts at the NCAA (1:45.31) and the USATF Championships (1:45.85). The rising junior finished second-to-only former Michigan standout Andrew Ellerton, who took top honors in 1:45.04.
Foster also blitzed to a career best, running a sizzling 3:39.57 - his first trip under 3:40 for 1500-meters. The effort was good for fifth on the evening. Nate Brannen - also a former Michigan Wolverine - won the event in 3:36.75. Foster's performance is also the third quickest in the Penn State record books, following only Steve Balkey's 3:38.99 from 1987, and Larry Mangan's 3:39.25 from 1980. The mark was also a PR by nearly two seconds, bettering his previous best - 3:41.26 - from the 2010 season.
Dorr also fared well in Vancouver, finishing fourth in the 400 in 53.91.
Both Foster and Loxsom will continue to compete throughout the weekend, moving on to the Victoria International Track Classic on July 3. Action at Centennial Stadium begins at 11:00 a.m., on Sunday.