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Nittany Lions Open Season with Penn State Relays

Jan. 4, 2013

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -

Meet Program
Final Time Schedule

The Nittany Lion track and field squads are set to kick of the 2013 season on Saturday, hosting the Penn State Relays, at Ashenfelter III Indoor Track. The season's first competition - which is slated to begin at 10:00 a.m. - will feature a host of regional foes, including squads from Norfolk State, St. Francis (Pa.), St. Joseph's (Pa.), Pittsburgh, Maryland-Baltimore County, and Robert Morris.

The Nittany Lions enjoyed outstanding results at the Blue-White Instrasquad, last month, getting double victories from a quartet of athletes, including Brittney Howell (Wyncote, Pa.), Mahagony Jones (Cleveland, Ohio), Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster, N.Y.), and Brian Leap (Tyrone, Pa.). Jones swept the short sprints, taking both the 60- and 300-meters, while Howell enjoyed a track and field double, winning the 60-meter hurdles and the long jump. Also picking dual wins in the field events were Kurzdorfer and Leap, who won the women's shot put and weight throw, and the men's long and triple jumps, respectively.

About the Penn State Relays ...
When: Saturday, January 5
Where: Ashenfelter III Indoor Track (Multi-Sport Facility)
Start Times: 10:00 a.m. - Field Events; 11:00 a.m. - Track Events
Results: Follow LIVE on GoPSUsports.com; or on Twitter @PennStateTFXC

Nittany Lion Notes -

Blue-White Results ...
The Blue Team scored comfortable wins over the White Team on both the men's and women's sides at the Blue-White Meet on December 15, winning 67-60 in the women's standings, and 68-61 in the final men's tally. Overall, the Blue topped the White, 135-121, for bragging rights, as well as the combined title. The Blue Team also outdid it's White Team opponents in overall victories, claiming a total 16 wins out of 26 total events.

Recognizable Recruiting ...
The 2012 Nittany Lion men's track and field recruiting class has been ranked No. 5, nationally, according to the latest edition of Track & Field News. Penn State welcomes a bevy of talent to the 2012-13 roster, including middle distance standouts Brannon Kidder (Lancaster, Ohio), and Za'Von Watkins (Liverpool, N.Y.) as well as highly touted javelin specialist Michael Shuey (Johnsonburg, Pa.). The Nittany Lions also welcome All-American Ricky West, who is attending graduate school at Penn State following a decorated career at the University of Missouri.

Returning with a Roar ...
The Nittany Lions welcome back a total seven First and Second Team USTFCCCA All-Americans from the 2012 indoor campaign, starting with the NCAA runner-up 4x400-meter relay with legs Aaron Nadolsky (Altoona, Pa.), Brandon Bennett-Green (Philadelphia, Pa.), Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.), and Brady Gehret (Altoona, Pa.). Coming off Second Team All-America finishes are sophomore Robby Creese (Mount Airy, Md.) in the mile run, Loxsom in the 800-meters, and Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas) in the 60-meter hurdles.