UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.: July 5, 2012 - Rising senior Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.) and soon-to-be junior Brady Gehret (Altoona, Pa.) have both been selected to represent the United States in international competition this weekend, competing at the NACAC-Under 23 Championships in Guanajuato, Mexico. Loxsom, who will run the 800-meters, will be making an international appearance for the third-straight summer, having made the U.S. team for the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships and 2011 World University Games. Meanwhile, Gehret will travel as a member of the 4x400-meter relay.
Both Loxsom and Gehret were members of the Nittany Lions' record-setting 4x400 this spring, which broke or tied the school record on five occasions during the outdoor season, including a sizzling 3:01.52 during the preliminary round at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The squad - which also included Aaron Nadolsky (Altoona, Pa.) and Brandon Bennett-Green (Elkins Park, Pa.) - would rack up top finishes throughout the postseason, highlighted by a fourth-place standing at the NCAA Championships, to go along with a victory in the event at the Big Ten Championships. The duo were also key members of the Nittany Lions' winning sprint medley at the Penn Relays Carnival - assisting in Penn State's second-consecutive title in the event.
Individually, Gehret would place sixth overall - earning All-America standing - in the open 400-meters at NCAAs, following a Big Ten title in the event. Most recently, the Altoona, Pa., native took eighth overall at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where he posted sub-46 second performances in all three rounds, matching his PR of 45.22 in the semi-finals.
Loxsom turned in another impressive spring, capturing his third-straight Big Ten title in the 800, thanks to a season-best performance of 1:46.12. The rising senior also advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, as well as the US Olympic Trials, coming away with an 11th-place standing and Second Team All-America honors at NCAAs.
Loxsom will take on the 800 semi-final at 7:05 p.m., CDT, on Saturday, while Gehret will take to the track in the 4x400 at 12:20 p.m., on Sunday.
The competition is held every two years, and includes member associations of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC).