Jim Thorpe Outdoor Open Final Schedule
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., May 8, 2014 - In one final tune-up prior to the Big Ten Championships, the Nittany Lion track and field squads will host the Jim Thorpe Open Friday afternoon at Nittany Lion Track. Penn State is coming off a record-setting effort at the Maryland Twilight meet and Payton Jordan Invite last weekend, coming home with a new school record and a couple of personal best performances. Action in Happy Valley begins at 2:00 p.m.
Event highlights will include the men's and women's javelins that will feature a strong Nittany Lion contingent. Leading the charge will be senior Laura Loht (McClure, Pa.), in her final home competition. Loht's 2014 campaign has contained a string of victories including a Penn Relays Championship, but she will face stiff competition from fellow Nittany Lion All-American Lauren Kenney(State College, Pa.).
Senior Jon Hendershot(Nazareth, Pa.) will be looking to improve upon his school record jump set at last year's Jim Thorpe open. Hendershot currently shares the mark at 7-3.25 (2.22) with David Coney, but will be looking to improve on that 2013 jump.
| Laura Loht |
In their final field competitions will be throws senior All-Americans Will Barr (Urbana, Ohio), and Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster, NY). Other senior All-Americans competing include Marlene Ricketts (Old Westbury, NY) in the long and triple jump, and Brittney Howell(Wyncote, Pa) in the 100-meter hurdles and javelin.
Representing in the sprints for the last time will be Bernard Bennett-Green (Elkins Park, Pa.) and Alex Kenney(State College, Pa.) who will race over 200 meters.
About the Jim Thorpe Invitational ...
Where: Nittany Lion Track
When: Friday, May 3 (3:00 p.m.)
Meet Information: www.GoPSUsports.com
The Nittany Lions enjoyed a sensational weekend at the Maryland Twilight meet, picking up a personal best performance from Big Ten Athlete of the Week Kiah Seymour (Washington, D.C.), who ran 55.88 to win the women's 400-meter hurdles. Junior Darrell Hill(Philadelphia, Pa.) impressed Friday evening, winning the men's shot put, thanks to a personal best toss of 64 feet.
Big Ten Athlete of the Week Brannon Kidder(Lancaster, Ohio.), came back from the west coast with a new school record in the men's 1500. Kidder's time of 3:38.82 broke a 27-year old school record in the event, previously held by Steve Balky. Kidder is just the second Nittany Lion ever under 3:39 in the event and his time leads the nation.
Live results link is