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T&F Splits for Weekend Meets

Feb. 9, 2017

Dempsy IndoorSeattle, Wash.

Friday, Feb. 10 - Saturday, Feb. 11
Friday - 4 p.m.; Saturday - 9 a.m.
Heat Sheets | FLOtrack Broadcast ($) | LIVE Results

Spire InstituteGeneva, Ohio

Friday, Feb. 10 - Saturday, Feb. 11
Friday - 2 p.m.; Saturday - 10:30 a.m.
Heat Sheets | FLOtrack Broadcast ($) | LIVE Results

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State track & field teams split action this weekend with one group of athletes heading to the University of Washington's Husky Classic in Seattle, Washington, while a second group of athletes will travel to Geneva, Ohio for the Spire Invitational this weekend.

Husky Classic
When: Fri., February 10; Sat., February 11
Where: Dempsey Indoor Track | Seattle, Wash.
Start time: Friday: 4:00 p.m., Saturday: 9:00 a.m.

Spire Invitational
When: Fri., February 10; Sat., February 11
Where: Spire Institute | Geneva, Ohio
Start time: Friday: 2:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:30 a.m.

LAST TIME OUT - SYKES & SABOCK CHALLENGE CUP
In their penultimate home meet of the season, Penn State track & field swept team titles at the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track keeping the Sykes & Sabock Challenge Cup at home.

The men's team won with a total team score of 202.50 - 63.5 points ahead of the next closest team - while the women's team battled their way to the team title scoring 161 points beating second-place James Madison (134) by 27-points.

Penn State's Distance crew got the day started with a first through sixth-place finish in the men's mile led by Timothy McGowan who crossed the line in 4:06.73 for the win.

The women's mile was just as dominating as Penn State claimed seven of the top 10 places led by Grace Trucilla's personal best time of 4:53.71 with Lisa Bennatan close behind in a time of 4:54.43 that also stands as a new PR for Bennatan.

The 400-meters saw Megan Osborne run a season best time of 57.80 winning her heat and finishing fourth overall in the event.

Senior Alex Shisler, a State College native, led the 400-meters for the men with his third-place finish clocking 49.45 for the two lap race - a season best time.

Moving up to the 600-meters, Domenic Perretta took the crown running a personal best time of 1:20.18 followed by teammates Jordan Makins (1:21.05), Riley Gaibler (1:21.34) and Joseph Phifer (1:21.34).

Just like the men's 600-meters, the women's race was a Penn State sweep as the Nittany Lions claimed five of the top-seven spot including a first through fourth finish.

Frances Bull was the lead Lion in the event running a time of 1:32.38 to set a new personal best.

Following Bull were Rachel DeCecco (1:33.91), Elyse Skerpon (1:34.65) and Rachel Banks (1:35.47).

Julie Kocjancic grabbed the 800-meter title with her new personal best time of 2:09.40, while Colin Abert was the top finisher for the men with his fifth-place finish running a personal best 1:52.89.

The next event, the 200-meters, saw two freshman set PR's in the race as Darien Williams (21.95) and Tristan Daman (22.50) finished third and sixth, respectively.

Julie Kocjancic took home a third-place finish in the women's 3K with her time of 9:47.03 - a new PR.

In the field, Jon Yohman once again dominated the competition around him winning the event by almost eight feet with his mark of 60'-0.25" (18.29m) followed by teammate Morgan Shigo who finished with a best throw of 52'-5.25" (15.98m).

In the women's shot put Alyssa Robinson captured her third win of the season in the event with her mark of 52'-3.25" (15.93m) with Obeng Marfo right behind her in second-place recording a throw of 50'-10.25" (15.50m).

The vertical jumps saw all three men's competitors set new personal best as Austin Campbell, Devin Bradham and Spence Hay finish with marks of 6'-8.25" (2.04m), 6'-8.25" (2.04m) and 6'-6.25" (1.99m), respectively, in the high jump.

The horizontal jump of the day, the triple jump, saw all the Nittany Lion jumpers finish in the top-three.

Darien Alston (48'-5.25" (14.76m) and Kobren Frederick 47'-10" (14.58m) took second and third, respectively, for the men while Olivia Giambra 37'-9.50 (11.52m) finished in second for the women.

LATEST USTFCCCA RANKINGS
The Penn State men's and women's track & field teams check in at No. 24 and No. 21, respectively, in the National Computer Rankings. Penn State is home to 14 top-25 NCAA marks, six-Big Ten leading marks and 65 top-25 Big Ten marks.

RECORD BREAKING SEASON
After four meets this season, a total of six school records have been broken, as well as one that surpassed the collegiate record in Harris' 600-meter performance.

  • Women's 600-Meters - Danae Rivers - 1:29.06
  • Men's 600-Meters - Isaiah Harris - 1:14.96 (CR)
  • Women's 800-Meters - Danae Rivers - 2:04.04
  • Women's- Mile- Danae Rivers - 4:34.87
  • Women's 3,000-Meters - Tessa Barrett 9:07.22
  • Heptathlon Shot Put - Robert Cardina - 46'-6.25" (14.18m)


HOME SWEET HOME
The Nittany Lions are set to welcome teams from across the nation into the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track as they host four meets during the 2017 indoor season.

TRACK & FIELD SIGNS 12 EARLY
Twelve new student-athletes signed their National Letter of Intent during the week-long early signing period in November.

  • Madison Smith Hometown: New Oxford, Pa
  • Brooke-Lynn Williams Hometown: Norton, Mass.
  • Victoria Tachinski Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • Alison Willingmyre Hometown: Wernersville, Pa.
  • Ben Bumgarner Hometown: Waynesburg, Pa.
  • William Henderson Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
  • Jack Zimmerman Hometown: Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
  • Terrance Laird Hometown: Coatesville, Pa.
  • Thomas Bojalad Hometown: St. Mary's, Pa.
  • Alexa Parks Hometown: Kintnersville, Pa
  • Audra Koopman Hometown: Fort Collins, Co.
  • Katie Jones Hometown: South Williamsport, Pa.


These 12 student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent and will attend Penn State next fall.

NEXT TIME OUT
Penn State will return home for the last time this season for the Tune-Up Meet February 20 at Ashenfelter III indoor track before gearing up for the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Geneva, Ohio February 24-25.

For more on Nittany Lion track & field, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateTFXC.