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Gerlach Post World No. 2 Mark in Steeple on opening day of Bucknell Classic

April 14, 2017

RESULTS

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Penn State wrapped up day one of the Bucknell Classic with 16 personal best marks including an NCAA leading and world No. 2 performance by senior Tor Gerlach in the steeplechase.

"I'm very excited to be competing at Bucknell this weekend," said head coach John Gondak.

"This has always been a meet that has treated Penn State very well, the staff over here does a great job putting on this competition and our athletes really excel. For Tori Gerlach to come over here and run the No. 1 time in the country in the steeplechase by herself and David Lucas to throw the No. 3 performance in the country in the discus this weekend as well as the other numerous personal best we had tonight, it was a great first day at the Bucknell Classic and we're looking forward to day two tomorrow!'

Obeng Marfo finishes second in the discus throw with a mark of 162'-6" (49.54m), achieving the day's best throw on her final attempt.

David Lucas, the lone Nittany Lion in the men's discus throw, finished the day with a new personal best and the No. 3 mark in the NCAA in the event.

Lucas, a 2016 NCAA qualifier in the discus, saw his second throw travel 200'-9" (61.18m) that is currently No. 3 in the nation and is also the third-best performance ever by a Nittany Lion trailing only Knut Hjeltnes (201'-10"/61.52m) and school record holder Brian Milne who posted the program best mark of 207'-5" (63.22m) back in 1992.

Kobren Frederick brought home a top-eight finish in the triple jump as the sophomore recorded a best jump of 47'-6.50" (14.49m) to take fifth-place, while Kaitlyn Lopez and Kelsey Vieira finished third and sixth, respectively with marks of 40'-5.50" (12.33m) and 39'-1.75" (11.93m).

Tori Gerlach turned in the performance of the day as the fifth-year senior crossed the line in an NCAA leading time of 9:50.60. Gerlach's time is the No. 2 mark in the world and also holds as the No. 2 performance ever by a Nittany Lion trailing Bridget Franek's school record mark of 9:32.35 from 2010. The time by Gerlach also broke a facility record held by the aforementioned Franek from 2009.

The women's 1,500-meters featured three Nittany Lions with top-10 finishes led by Julie Kocjancic in fourth-place who finished with a personal best time of 4:22.94 followed by teammates Marissa Sheva (4:25.81) and Jillian Hunsberger (4:26.43) who also posted personal best marks in the event.

The men's 1,500-meter runners found similar success on day one paced by Domenic Perretta in fourth-place (3:46.47) and Colin Abert in sixth-place (3:47.21); both Perretta and Abert laid down personal best marks in the race.

John McGowan led the Nittany Lions in the 5K invite heats recording a fifth-place finish in a time of 14:19.33, a new personal best time.

Penn State will return to the track for day two of the Bucknell Classic tomorrow morning with the first Nittany Lion competing at 11 a.m. in various field events.

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

ATHLETES WITH COLLEGIATE OUTDOOR PERSONAL BEST MARKS

Men's Discus

  • David Lucas - 200'-9" (61.18m)

Women's Triple Jump

  • Kelsey Vieira - 39'-1.75" (11.93m)

Women's 3K Steeplechase

  • Tori Gerlach - 9:50.60

Women's 1,500-meters

  • Julie Kocjancic - 4:22.94
  • Marissa Sheva - 4:25.81
  • Jillian Hunsberger - 4:26.43
  • Lisa Bennatan - 4:33.36
  • Natasha Fedkina - 4:33.80
  • Kathryn Munks - 4:33.87
  • Hannah Catalano - 4:50.43

Men's 1,500-meters

Women's 5,000-meters

  • Noemie Noullet - 17:24.26

Men's 5,000-meters