Jan. 12, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Astrid Diaz, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Senior Darrell Hill broke a school record and several young Nittany Lions performed excellently for Penn State as the track and field team officially kicked off the 2015 season in front of a packed, energetic crowd at the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track on Saturday.
Hill stole the show with his 66-2.50 shot put throw that set him at the top of the Penn State record book and at first place for the meet.
"I was actually a little surprised that it happened today," said Hill. "I just wanted to have a good meet. I was just feeling good going into the competition and as [it] started going it was in the back of my mind and I just went for it."
And this is just the beginning.
"No one can have higher expectations for me than I have for myself. I don't look at today as a higher expectation for myself, I look at it as a good start, a good building block and we just have to keep working and move forward," he said.
Underclassmen stepped up to the plate for the Nittany Lions this weekend, as well.
Freshman Xavier Smith impressed showing confidence as he finished third in the 200-meter dash (21.69) and 60-meter dash (6.88).
Megan Osborne had a phenomenal outing finishing first in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.55, a personal best for the sophomore.
"It came naturally, I was planning on doing that. I'm happy with it. I executed well," said Osborne. "I think this sets a good tone. I can only get better from here. There's still progress and there's still things I can fix but it's a positive tone for the rest of the season."
Sophomore Dannielle Gibson won the long jump - 15-3.50 starting the season well building a powerful foundation for meets to come.
"For the first meet, it's a good start [and] something to feed off of. Personally I don't think it was good enough but it's definitely giving me somewhere to start," said Gibson. "[Now] I know how much work I need to put in."
Sophomore Lexi Masterson looked focused and comfortable as she broke the meet record in the pole vault with a jump height of 12-10.25, which she says is routine at this point.
"Twelve-ten is something I know I can be at and I know I can beat and I'm glad I got a chance to take on the record," said Masterson. "I'm going to keep taking a shot at the school record."
The much anticipated 4x800-meter relay between the Penn State and Princeton men was a highlight of the meet. Team A made up of freshman Jordan Makins, senior Ryan Brennan, junior Brannon Kidder, and senior Robby Creese, set a meet record of 7.22.10.
The men's team chemistry is evident in their efforts and achievements.
"It's always good to be out here with the team and we were able to put together to quality 4x800 [meter relays]," said Kidder. "We're off to a good start...it's a rust-buster."
"The most important highlight of the night was Hill. He broke the school record and that's what we're going to base out energy of off," said Brennan.
Penn State had a fierce start to its year but the Nittany Lions are nowhere near satisfied. They're officially in competition mode and show no signs of backing down as they attack competitors to come.
"It was a phenomenal setting today with the packed stands and Flotrack here live streaming and great competition. It was 10 degrees outside but it was red hot in here as we got the season underway," said Head coach John Gondak. "We had some great things happen today but it's a long season and we have many more meets to go and this was just the start of things."
The Blue and White will compete again on Saturday, January 17 when they host the Nittany Lion Challenge at the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track.