Jan. 16, 2017
Nittany Lion Challenge RECAP
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State track & field had a successful opening meet this past weekend at the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track that featured several outstanding performances as we take a look back at the weekend that was the Nittany Lion Challenge.
In her first meet in the blue & white, Danae Rivers set a Penn State school record in the 600-meters running a time of 1:29.06 erasing the old mark of 1:29.81 set by Briene Simmons back in 2007. Rivers also came back to anchor the women's 4x400-meter relay that would finish second at the meet in a time of 3:44.66. River's mark in the 600-meters is currently ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and is over a full two seconds ahead of the next best mark in the event. Sophomore Frances Bull is also ranked in the top-10 of the Big Ten in the 600-meters with her time of 1:32.47 that ranks No. 6 this season.
Senior Dannielle Gibson had an outstanding opening meet turning in the NCAA's No. 2 mark in the women's triple jump with her jump of 43'-9" (13.33m) that ranks No. 2 all-time in Penn State indoor history. Gibson's mark is currently the No. 1 mark in the Big Ten, leading the next closest competitor by 1'-7.75" (0.5m). Gibson also recorded down the No. 7 mark in the Big Ten in the women's long jump with her mark of 19'-1.25" (5.82m)
The Nittany Lion Challenge women's mile featured performances by Tori Gerlach and Tessa Barrett who finished 1-2 in the event. Gerlach, who has outdoor eligibility only, finished the race in a meet record time of 4:41.17 breaking the record of 4:45.59 set just last year by Elizabeth Chikotas, while Barrett, who finished second in the race, would've broken the old record as well with her time of 4:42.56 - a new personal best. Barrett is currently ranked No. 10 in the NCAA and No. 5 in the Big Ten with that time.
In the men's triple jump Bryce Williams who is back in action after missing last year with an ACL injury, returned in superb form recording a personal best in the triple jump with his mark of 51'-8.25" (15.75m) that ranks No. 8 in the NCAA and is the third-best mark in the Big Ten conference this season.
The men's 60-meters saw Xavier Smith - current school record holder in the event - cruise to the win clocking a time of 6.75 that currently is the No. 3 time in the Big Ten. Close behind Smith was Malik Moffett who ran 6.77 good for the fifth-best mark in the Big Ten and tied for the No. 3 performance in Penn State indoor history.
In the women's pole vault, Penn State earned a 1-2-3 sweep in the event behind the performances of Lexi Masterson - current school record holder - (13'-0.25"/3.97m), Megan Fry (12'6.25"/3.82m), and Hannah Mulhern (12'-6.25"/3.82m) that currently rank No. 2 and tied for fifth-best in the Big Ten, respectively.
The women's shot put saw Penn State go 1-2 as Alyssa Robinson and Obeng Marfo recorded the No. 5 and No. 9 marks in the conference this year with their throws of 50'-6.75" (17.95m) and 49-4.25" (15.04m), respectively. Jon Yohman opened his sophomore indoor season with a top-10 performance in the shot put with his throw of 58'-10.75" (17.95m).
Rachel Banks and Joseph Phifer ran top-10 Big Ten marks in the 800-meters with their times of 1:53.67 and 2:11.72 that rank No. 7 and No. 6, respectively.
Quenee Dale ran 8.36 seconds in the women's 60-meter hurdles good for the No. 5 mark in the Big Ten this season.
Chisom Ifedi finished the high jump with the No. 6 mark in the Big Ten in the high jump clearing 6'-10.75" (2.10m) to open the season.
Penn State also has three athletes ranked in the top-10 of the Big Ten weight throw in Morgan Shigo (No. 7), David Lucas (No. 9) and Alyssa Robinson (No. 9).
Penn State also had three relays that are currently ranked in the top-five of the Big Ten in the men's and women's 4x400-meter relays - both ranked No. 4 in the conference - and the women's DMR that sits at No. 3 with a season best time of 12:08.33.
In total, Penn State has 46 Big Ten top-20 performances this season, with six top-three marks amongst that group. For a complete list of Penn State's top-20 marks click here.
Penn State will return to action Jan. 20-21 as they travel to Lexington, Ky. for the Rod McCravy Memorial meet hosted by the University of Kentucky.
For more on Nittany Lion track & field, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateTFXC.