June 15, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - A trio of Nittany Lion rising sophomores will make the trip to Indiana University this weekend, competing in the USATF Junior Championships at Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex. The competition, which is slated for June 15-17, will feature 19-and-under athletes from the high school and collegiate ranks, all vying for positions for the IAAF World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain, next month.
Taking to the track for the Nittany Lions will be Robby Creese (Mount Airy, Md.), Abbie Benson (Elma, N.Y.), and Dynasty McGee (Ypsilanti, Mich.), who will all be putting the finishing touches on outstanding freshman campaigns.
About the USATF Junior Championships...
When: June 15-17
Where: Indiana University (Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex)
Meet Info/Results: www.USATF.org
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Creese has made quite a splash during his rookie year, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Just the third Nittany Lion to break 4:00 for the mile run, Creese set the collegiate record for 1000-meters indoors (2:19.53), and set a personal-best 3:58.94 for the mile on his way to being the only freshman to make the NCAA Indoor Championships in the event. The freshman has also enjoyed a stellar outdoor season, placing third in the 1500-meters at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, and qualifying for the NCAA First Round with a 1500 PR of 3:42.87.
McGee, who will run the 400-meters this weekend, also has an NCAA appearance under her belt, running as a member of the Penn State women's 4x400-meter relay at the recent NCAA Outdoor Championships. The squad, which also took runner-up honors at the Big Ten Championships, placed 13th at the national meet in 3:33.03 - good for Second Team All-America honors. The freshman was also a member of the Lions' second-place 4x400 at the indoor conference meet.
Benson has posted a promising first year in the distances, running a PR 10:35.53 for the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Penn Relays Carnival. Her time ranks 10th in the Nittany Lion record books.
Competition in Bloomington gets underway on Friday afternoon. For more on Nittany Lion track and field, log on to www.GoPSUsports.com.