Jan. 31, 2014
Day 1 Results Event Schedule FloTrack Live Stream
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lions Track & Field team got off to a fast start at the prestigious Penn State National, posting the second-fastest distance medley relay time in collegiate history. Sophomore Brannon Kidder (Lancaster, Ohio), senior Brandon Bennett-Green (Philadelphia, Pa.), sophomore Za'Von Watkins (Liverpool, N.Y.) and junior Robby Creese (Mount Airy, Md.) set a facility, meet, and Penn State record, finishing with a time of 9:26.59.
"They were tremendous; they have the top time in the country right now," said Director and Head Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan. "We ran four great legs. They're all in top form."
Penn State records were set on the women's side, too, when senior Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas) posted an 8.15 in the 60-meter hurdles, surmounting Aleesha Barber's record from 2008.
"Aleesha Barber is one of our greatest of all time...to have her record come down is just remarkable. Evonne is on fire; we thought this was coming and she deserves to own the school record," said Alford-Sullivan.
Penn State's versatility showed in the women's pentathlon as junior Brittney Howell (Wyncote, Pa.) dominated in victory. She finished tied for second or better in four of five events; she set personal records in three (60-meter hurdles, high jump and shot put). Howell's score of 4061 puts her on pace to compete in the National Championship for the event.
"She was excellent, this is the kind of Brittney Howell that we've been excited about. She's very deserving; she's really put the work in this year." said Alford-Sullivan.
In the men's heptathlon, freshman Robert Cardina (Lancaster, Pa.) set personal records in the 60-meter hurdles (7.18 seconds), long jump (22-05.00), and shot put (40-05.00). The heptathlon events continue tomorrow afternoon.
Mahagony Jones (Cleveland, Ohio) set a new personal record and approached the Penn State record in the finals of the 60-meter dash, posting a 7.26. She finished second in the event.
In the weight throws, senior Will Barr (Urbana, Ohio) won with a remarkable 68-03.75. The next best throw was almost four feet shy of Barr's. The women were just as impressive, as senior Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster, N.Y.) and sophomore Rachel Fatherly (Williamsport, Pa.) finished third and fourth, respectively. Fatherly obliterated her personal record as she threw 62-08.50, more than five feet farther than her previous best.
In the jumps, juniors Brian Leap (Bellwood, Pa.) and Steve Waithe (Parkville, Md.) set personal records in the long jump, clearing 23-08.00 and 23-04.00, respectively.
The entire meet can be viewed via live stream on FloTrack. Follow the link above for viewing.
Events continue tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. at Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track in the Multi-Sport Facility at the corner of University Drive and Dauer Drive on campus. Admission is free.