March 27, 2014
AUSTIN, Texas - After entering the second day of competition in the multi-events in first place at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, both senior Brittney Howell (Wyncote, Pa.) and freshman Rob Cardina (Lancaster, Ohio) finished strong to open the Penn State track & field team's 2014 outdoor season. Howell posted a 5,625, just 15 points out of first place and good enough for third all-time at Penn State in the heptathlon. Cardina finished with 7,508 points and a fourth-place finish in his first-ever attempt at the decathlon.
"What a great Texas Relays for the Penn State duo of Howell and Cardina," said Head Coach and Director of Track & Field Beth Alford- Sullivan. "The Hept and Dec are demanding events and I couldn't be more proud of these two Lions. Brittany PR'ed by close to 600 points and competed so very well in all seven events of the heptathlon. Rob, in his very first decathlon, scored over 7500 points and was just outstanding.
"Kudos to Coach Kelly and Coach Spence for the great results as well. Our season has begun with great results... it is going to be a great BTD- Big Ten Drive."
Howell started competition on day two with the longest jump of the day, a 20-0.25, to extend her lead to 142 points over defending NCAA champion Lydsay Vollmer of Kansas. PRs in the javelin (101-3) and 800 meters (2:21.03) kept it close, but Howell's total came up just short to Vollmer's leaving her with second place and a great start to the 2014 outdoor season.
Day two for Cardina started with a 14.98 in the 110-meter hurdles, which was second amongst the competitors. Cardina recorded a discus throw of 130-11 and cleared a pole vault height of 13-9.25 to hold second place with two events remaining. He then threw a 187-4 in the javelin and finished strong with a 5:00.43 in the 1500 meters to end up fourth in his first-ever attempt at the decathlon.
The outdoor season continues for Penn State with the Stanford Invite (April 4-5) and the Alabama Invite (April 5).