June 20, 2013
DES MOINES, Iowa - Junior Laura Loht (McClure, Pa.) turned in a lifetime-best effort on her way to a fifth-place finish in the women's javelin, Thursday at the USATF Championships at Drake Stadium. Also holding their own against the nation's top track and field competition were Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.) and Brannon Kidder (Lancaster, Ohio), who both advanced through the preliminary round of the men's 800 meters.
Loht launched a lifetime-best 177-8 (54.15) on her fourth attempt of the competition, placing fifth overall as the top collegian in the women's javelin field. Loht's toss is also notable in the Penn State record books, as the attempt stands as the second-best effort in school history - trailing only Kim Hanslovan's school-record 178-4 (54.35) from 2009. Teammate Lauren Kenney (State College, Pa.) also competed in the event, placing 13th overall.
Also turning in a top five finish was freshman Rachel Fatherly (Williamsport, Pa.), who place fifth in the junior women's hammer. Fatherly ended the day with a lifetime-best toss of 178-3 (54.33).
Kidder would also post a PR on the afternoon, clocking a sizzling 1:46.87 - the third-fastest performance of the preliminary round. In position to strike with 200 meters to go, Kidder turned on his patented finishing speed to finish third in his heat, and earn an automatic-advancing position to Friday's semi-final round. Kidder, who finished the cutoff for the US Junior Championships by less than two months, more than held his own against elite competition, finishing behind only Olympic finalist Duane Soloman of Saucony, and NCAA Champion Elijah Greer of Oregon. Kidder's effort is the fifth-fastest in the collegiate ranks in 2013, as well as the eighth best in the Nittany Lions' storied middle distance history.
Loxsom, who made his first professional appearance for Brooks on Thursday, will also live to see another day, cruising to a second-place standing in his section, also gaining an automatic-advancing slot. Loxsom finished in 1:49.17.
2010 Penn State graduate Bridget Franek was another Nittany Lion to find success in the preliminary rounds, winning her section of the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Franek, who was an Olympic finalist a year ago, outkicked her competitors to pick up a heat victory in 9:57.96 - the third-fastest time in qualifying.
Kidder and Loxsom are both scheduled for action on Friday, as well as junior Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas) in the senior 100-meter hurdles, freshman Kiah Seymour (Washington, D.C.) in the junior 400-meter hurdles, and freshman Tori Gerlach (Perkasie, Pa.) in the junior steeplechase. Competition at Drake Stadium continues through Sunday.