Feb. 9, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
By Astrid Diaz, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Confidence is key and the Nittany Lions proved it this past weekend when the track and field team won a total of ten events and took home the winning title at the Sykes and Sabock Challenge Cup.
This team has done a great job this year showing improved performances every meet especially from experienced student-athletes that continuously show consistency.
Robby Creese demonstrated the product of hard work when he ran an exciting 3:57.86 mile, a meet record, the fourth best time in the NCAA, and arguable the highlight of the two-day event.
"I know he can do that because he's done it before. It's not easy running that fast when you're that far in front in the last 600-meters. It was an impressive run and, I believe, the fastest actual timed run in the NCAA this year," said head coach John Gondak.
Dependable stand outs like Rachel Fatherly (shot put), Darrell Hill (shot put), Brian Leap (long jump), and the women of the 4x400-meter relay, performed excellently and won their respective events to help the men's and women's team finish strongly on top.
"[The consistency] is a sign of maturely for these athletes," said Gondak. "They have confidence and an understanding for what they need to do to lead this team. It's a great that you have a group of individuals...guys that you can count on week in and week out to get the job done."
Along with the stability of the team's top performers, there are student-athletes that prove themselves day in and day out during practice and constantly improve when they're called up to the line.
Robert Rhodes, a junior transfer, has been quietly winning or showing quality performances all year as a part of the men's 600-meter run and the distance medley relay.
"I'm feeling good after today. I'm taking the right steps in the right direction to where I want to be by the end of the season," said Rhodes. "I just want to contribute to the team as much as possible and I'm appreciating the little things."
Freshman Xavier Smith is having a breakout year placing in almost every event he participates in. Smith's competitive edge has become one of the most motivating aspects of the team.
"Some of the younger kids...they need to not just rely [on the upperclassmen]. What they do is just as important and that was one of the emphasis for this meet and I think they did very well," said Gondak.
In addition to the excitement of excellent performances came the celebration of the team's seniors. Seventeen student-athletes were honored on Saturday morning for their dedication and commitment to the program.
But, the nostalgia will be put on hold for right now as the team prepares to enter its first away meet weekend of the year.
Three groups of athletes will head out to three different cities, Seattle, Washington; Geneva, Ohio; and Fayetteville, Arkansas to represent the blue and white next weekend.
"Three great places to go race next weekend. It's always a little nerve-wracking when you go on the road for the first time because you're out of your element but it's something we need to do to," said Gondak.
"We have a group of upperclassmen that will be great leaders and will help us accomplish what we need to accomplish next week."