Jan. 18, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State track and field had another excellent day at the Nittany Lion Challenge, highlighted by five performances that placed Nittany Lions in the NCAA top-5. Redshirt-senior Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas) placed fourth in the NCAA with her meet-winning performance in the 60 meter hurdles, posting an 8.22.
In addition to the hurdle victory, Penn State dominated the women's 1 mile run. Sophomore Tori Gerlach (Perkasie, Pa.) and junior Leigha Anderson (Carlisle, Pa.) finished first and second, respectively, finishing in 4:47.03 and 4:47.60. Gerlach is now seventh in the NCAA; Anderson is ninth.
Junior Dynasty McGee (Flint, Mich.) had an outstanding day on the track, as well. She finished second in the 400 meter dash, posting a 54.07, placing herself in third on the NCAA leader board. "She has put together two good weeks for us...this is the best she's ever looked," said Director and Head Track & Field Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan.
Later in the day, she started the 4x400 meter relay for the Nittany Lions. The team, comprised of junior Shelley Black (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), freshman Tichina Rhodes (Philadelphia, Pa.), and sophomore Kiah Seymour (Washington, D.C.), finished second with a time of 3:38.81.
Leigha Anderson |
On the men's side, sophomores Brannon Kidder (Lancaster, Ohio) and Za'Von Watkins (Liverpool, N.Y.) finished second and third in the 800 meter run. They hold the same positions in the NCAA standings.
Junior Robby Creese (Mount Airy, Md.) won the 1000 meter run with a time of 2:20.65. His time was the fastest in the NCAA since 2012, when he set a meet, school, facility, and collegiate record.
Senior Bernard Bennett-Green (Elkins Park, Pa.) finished second in the 400 meter dash with a time of 46.61; he is third in the NCAA standings. "That was a huge breakthrough; he was phenomenal," said Alford-Sullivan.
Bernard and his twin brother, Brandon Bennett-Green (Philadelphia, Pa.), were half of the men's first-place 4x400 meter relay team. The team, which also included freshman Byron Robinson (Chesapeake, Va.) and senior Aaron Nadolsky (Altoona, Pa.), blew by the competition, posting a time of 3:07.83, nearly two seconds faster than second-place Pittsburgh.
In the field, senior weight thrower Will Barr (Urbana, Ohio) and freshman pole vault Lexi Masterson (Jeannette, Pa.) kept their undefeated seasons alive. Barr's throw of 67-01.25 was more than six feet farther than second place. Masterson's height of 11-11.75 is a quarter-inch shy of her personal record.
Senior high jumper Jon Hendershot (Nazareth, Pa.) literally inched by his previous indoor record, clearing 7-1.50. "He looks to be in top form; he competed well," said Alford-Sullivan. He won the event and is eleventh in the NCAA. Junior long jumper Brian Leap (Bellwood, Pa.) also set an indoor personal record, posting a 23-5.25. He finished second in the event.
Sophomore Rachel Fatherly (Williamsport, Pa.) broke an indoor personal record in the shot put with a distance of 51-05.00. She finished second in the event.
Penn State will compete again Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1 in the Penn State National. All indoor meets are held at the Multi-Sport Facility behind the Lacrosse Field near the corner of University Drive and Dauer Drive on campus. Admission is free.