Aug 19, 2013
MOSCOW, Russia - Nittany Lion volunteer assistant Ryan Whiting and former Penn State standout Shana Cox both posted podium finishes, highlighting a successful effort by the Nittany Lion contingent at the IAAF World Championships. Also competing was Penn State alumnus Aleesha Barber, who finished the competition as a semi-finalist in the 100-meter hurdles.
Meanwhile, Director and Head Coach of Nittany Lion Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan served as the Head Women's Coach for Team USA, which finished the competition with a total of 25 medals, including six gold-medal performances. Sullivan - along with Men's Head Coach Mike Holloway of the University of Florida - helped the US Teams to the second-highest medal count in World Championship history. The United States also earned 25 medals in 2011, finishing with a higher medal count (26) in only 1991 and 2007.
Whiting - a native of Harrisburg, Pa. - proved his position as one of the top shot putters in the world, capturing silver-medal honors - his highest-ever finish at the World Outdoor Championships. Whiting posted a put of 70-9.25 (21.57) in the event final to finish second behind Germany's David Storl, who posted an effort of 71-3.50 (21.73). Whiting's finish was one of 13 silver-medal performances by Team USA, as well as the only podium effort by an American in a throwing event.
Whiting is now a two-time finalist at the IAAF World Championships, as well as an Olympic finalist in 2012. The Arizona State product was also the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Champion in the shot put.
Cox - a two-time NCAA Champion as a Nittany Lion - earned bronze-medal status as a member of the Great Britain 4x400-meter relay, helping the team to a finishing time of 3:22.61 - the best performance of the season by the squad, as well as the third-fastest effort in the world this year. Host country Russia took top honors, nipping the United States on the homestretch, 3:20.19 - 3:20.41.
Cox is developing an outstanding resume on the international stage, having captured gold-medal honors in the 4x400 at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2012, and running as a member of the fifth-place relay at the London Olympics.
Barber also fared well while competing for Trinidad and Tobago. Barber, who is also a former NCAA Champion for the Nittany Lions, advanced through the opening round of the 100-meter hurdles, thanks to a fourth-place finish in her preliminary heat. She would move on to finish eighth in her semi-final section.
For more on Nittany Lion Track and Field, log on to www.GoPSUsports.com.