Feb. 6, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Com·pete /kÉ™mˈpÄ"t/ (verb) - strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others who are trying to do the same.
This is what Track & Field is, day in and day out, competing against yourself, the clock and the opponents in the other lanes.
The Sykes & Sabock Challenge Cup featured this aspect of the sport in such a large volume as Penn State had 41 personal best performances throughout the two-day meet including the team competition as both Penn State squads captured team titles in their first scored meet of the year.
Let's take a look at the personal best marks hit over the weekend at Ashenfelter III Indoor Track.
Morgan Shigo continues to be a force in the men's weight throw as he became only the second Nittany Lion to break 67-feet in the event finishing this weekend's meet with a new PR of 67'-8" (20.62m), further extending the No. 2 mark in school history trailing only Will Barr's mark of 70'-6.5" (21.50m) from 2014. Shigo's mark in currently No. 25 in the NCAA
Starting with the short sprints, three Nittany Lions had breakthrough performances in the 60-meters as Darien Williams (6.97), Tristan Daman (7.03) and Bryce Williams (7.05) all ran personal best times.
Alex McCord (8.80) got in on the PR action in the 60-meter hurdles competing as the lone Penn State athlete in the event but representing the Nittany Lions well.
Moving up in distance, the 200-meters had a pair of performances that led to new personal best marks.
Darien Williams (21.95) recorded his first 21 second 200-meters during his freshman campaign while Tristan Daman lowered his personal best mark down to 22.50 seconds.
In the 600-meters, an event that saw a world record set at this year's Penn State National Open last week, saw 10 athletes run at a personal best pace including Domenic Perretta (1:20.18), David Marrington (1:22.41), William Ashenfelter (1:22.44), Billy McDevitt (1:24.74), Frances Bull (1:32.38), Rachel DeCecco (1:33.91), Elyse Skerpon (1:34.65), Rachel Banks (1:35.47), Marissa Sheva (1:37.19) and Grace Trucilla (1:37.59)
Colin Abert (1:52.89), Julie Kocjancic (2:09.40), Natasha Fedkina (2:15.24) and Nicole O'Donnell (2:17.69) all set PR's in the 800-meters while the mile saw 10 athletes set new marks just like in the 600-meters.
Personal best times in the mile included: Billy McDevitt (4:09.10), Brandon Tubby (4:11.17), Domenic Perretta (4:16.13), Brad Rivera (4:30.46), Grace Trucilla (4:53.71), Lisa Bennatan (4:54.43), Marissa Sheva (4:57.42), Natasha Fedkina (4:58.21), Rachel Banks (4:59.50) and Hannah Catalano (5:01.79).
Julie Kocjancic (9:47.03) and Noemie Nollet (10:09.63) dominated the 3K with their PR's while Brady Bobbitt won the 5K on his way to a time of 15:13.83 - a new PR.
Between triple jump, high jump and long jump seven athletes turned in PR's
HIGH JUMP
- Darian Alston- 48'-5.25" (14.76m)
- Olivia Giambra- 37'-9.50" (11.52m)
HIGH JUMP
- Austin Campbell- 6'-8.25" (2.04m)
- Devin Bradham- 6'-8.25" (2.04m)
- Spence Hay- 6'-6.25" (1.99m)
LONG JUMP
- Alex McCord - 19'-8.75" (6.01m)
- Keianna Albury- 18'-1.50" (5.52m)
Penn State is home to 14 top-25 NCAA marks, six-Big Ten leading marks and 65 top-25 Big Ten marks.
Penn State returns to the track Feb. 10-11 as they split the squad taking part in the Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. and the Spire Invitational in Geneva, Ohio - the site of the 2017 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships.
For more on Nittany Lion track & field, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateTFXC.