April 15, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa.: April 15, 2012 - The Nittany Lion track and field squads racked up eight event victories, en route to four new Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium records, Sunday at the Bison Outdoor Classic at Bucknell University. Including results from Saturday's competition, the Nittany Lions laid claim to a total of six facility bests on the weekend.
The Nittany Lions starred in the sprints, led by a season-best 20.99 by sophomore Brady Gehret (Altoona, Pa.) in the 200 meters. Gehret, who was followed by classmate Aaron Nadolsky (Altoona, Pa.) in third overall in 21.58, reset the stadium record in the effort, while also posting the second-fastest performance in the Big Ten this season. Sophomore Kirsten Nieuwendam (Parimaribo, Suriname) placed the Lions in the women's half lapper, turning in a season-best 23.97. Nieuwendam was also followed by a blanket of Lion finishers, including alum Dominique Blake in second in 24.37, and current freshman Dynasty McGee (Ypsilanti, Mich.) in third in 24.41.
Continuing the success in the sprints, senior Ije Iheoma (Holland, Pa.) headed up a one-two-three sweep by the Lions in the 400-meters, finishing in 54.68, with Nieuwendam and McGee placing second and third, respectively.
Penn State dominated the field events, highlighted by a collegiate personal-best clearance of 5-8.75 (1.75) by freshman Sarah Palmer (Gansevoort, N.Y.), which also tied the facility record. Palmer was followed by Nittany Lion teammate Erika Morgan (Chesapeake, Va.) in second with a jump of 5-7 (1.70).
The Nittany Lions were equally as successful in the women's triple jump, as senior Tanaya Lloyd (Philadelphia, Pa.) and sophomore Marlene Ricketts (Westbury, N.Y.) provided a one-two finish, as well as a pair collegiate personal bests. Lloyd, who also won the long jump on Saturday, nipped her teammate for the victory, turning in a leap of 41-6.50 (12.66), while Ricketts was on her heals in 41-6 (12.65). With their performances, the duo now stands fifth and sixth, respectively, on the all-time Nittany Lion top 10 list in the event, as well as second and third in the Big Ten on the outdoor season. Freshman Brian Leap (Bellwood, Pa.) was the top finisher in the men's triple jump, placing third with a PR 49-2.25 (14.99).
On the men's side, senior Joe Kovacs (Nazareth, Pa.) remained undefeated in the shot put, claiming his third straight victory in the event thanks to a personal-outdoor best 63-10.25 (19.46), which also bettered his own stadium record in the event. The shot was another event loaded with current and former Nittany Lions, as 2011 graduate Blake Eaton placed third in the competition with a toss of 63-3.25 (19.28). Kovacs stands tops in the conference with the performance, and fourth in the NCAA rankings.
Also performing in facility-record fashion in the throwing events was sophomore Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster, N.Y.), who took the women's hammer title in 203-1 (61.91). Sophomore Will Barr (Urbana, Ohio) was the top finisher in the men's hammer, taking third overall with a personal-best toss of 194-10 (59.40). Barr's effort moves him up to sixth in the Penn State record books.
The Nittany Lions final victory of the day came with the women's 4x800-meter relay with team members Colleen Shannon (Andover, Mass.), Tori Perri (Philadelphia, Pa.), Rachel Casciano (Wyomissing, Pa.), and Marta Klebe (Chesterbrook, Pa.). The squad turned in a finishing time of 9:09.51 to better the rest of the field by over three seconds.
Penn State will splits squads across the country next weekend, with Nittany Lions traveling to the Mount SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., War Eagle Invitational in Auburn, Ala., and back to Lewisburg for the Bucknell Team Challenge.
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