May 24, 2013
GREENSBORO, N.C. -
Video Interviews
Michael Shuey
Melissa Kurzdorfer
A grand total of eight Nittany Lions solidified their spots at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, thanks to stellar performances at the NCAA Eastern Preliminary Round, Friday at North Carolina A&T. Paced by a trio of qualifiers in the men's 800 meters, the Nittany Lions will now be represented in seven event disciplines at the NCAA Finals in Eugene, Ore., with one day of competition remaining in Greensboro. The Nittany Lions also enjoyed advancing finishes in the 100 meters, 400-meter hurdles, 3,000-meter steeplechase, and hammer on the women's side, as well as the men's javelin.
Leading the way in the field events was junior Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster, N.Y.), who added another slot to her event slate in Eugene with a qualifying performance in the women's hammer throw. Riding the momentum from an NCAA-qualifying performance in the discus on Thursday, Kurzdorfer continued to prove her position among the best in the NCAA East Region, turning in a seventh-place finish in the hammer to secure her second national bid of the weekend. Improving steadily throughout the competition, the junior posted efforts an effort of 194-10 (59.40) on her second attempt, and improving to 195-2 (59.48) on her first attempt of the final round. Kurzdorfer would turn in her best toss on her fifth attempt, going 199-10 (60.73) - her second-best performance of the 2013 campaign.
Kurzdorfer is the Nittany Lions' first two-event qualifier in the women's throwing events since Jennifer Leatherman made the NCAA Outdoor Championships in both the shot put and hammer in 2006. The national bid will be Kurzdorfer's third-straight appearance in the NCAA hammer, having finished 12th in both 2011 and 2012.
Joining Kurzdorfer in the throwing events was freshman Michael Shuey (Johnsonburg, Pa.), who qualified through in the men's javelin. Shuey, who will be the Nittany Lions' first representative in the NCAA men's javelin since 2007, will advance via a personal-best toss of 230-06 (70.27). Shuey is now the seventh Nittany Lion to better the 230-foot barrier in program history, while his mark ranks as the sixth best in the Penn State record books.
Highlighting the results in the sprints was redshirt-junior Mahagony Jones (Cleveland, Ohio) in both the 100- and 200-meters. Jones sprinted to an NCAA bid in the 100, clocking 11.30 (+3.9) for second in her quarterfinal heat. Jones wasn't finished, however, taking second in her preliminary section of the 200, thanks to a time of 23.59. The redshirt junior will now vie for her second position in Eugene in Saturday's quarterfinal in the event. Redshirt junior Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas) will also be back in action on Saturday, qualifying through in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.12.
Freshman Kiah Seymour (Washington, D.C.) will also represent the Nittany Lion sprints crew in Eugene, earning a qualifying spot in the 400-meter hurdles. The rookie held her own in the stellar field, notching a second-place finish and an automatic-advancing slot with a performance of 58.37.
Senior Natalie Bower (Pleasant Unity, Pa.) shined in her final First Round appearance, picking up a third-place finish and ticket to Eugene in the steeplechase. In a battle for the third and final qualifying spot for much of the 3,000-meter race, Bower turned up the heat over the closing laps, finishing in lifetime-best 10:07.86 to improve on her position as the third-fastest steepler in program history.
Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions covered the middle distances in the 800, with seniors Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.), and Ricky West (Toronto, Ontario) advancing to Eugene, as well as freshman Brannon Kidder (Lancaster, N.Y.). Loxsom blitzed to a heat victory in an impressive 1:47.12, advancing with the fastest time in qualifying. Kidder qualified through in the same heat, earning the third automatic qualifying position in 1:48.03. West advanced on time - also running in the same section - thanks to a finishing performance of 1:48.84.
Action at the NCAA First Round continues on Saturday. The NCAA Outdoor Championships are set for June 5-8, at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
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