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Six Nittany Lions Punch Ticket to Eugene on Day One of NCAA First-Rounds

May 26, 2017

RESULTS


LEXINGTON, Ky. - Penn State qualified six athletes through to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. On the opening day of the NCAA East First-Rounds at the UK Outdoor Track Thursday afternoon.

The men's javelin group got things going for Penn State with three Nittany Lion athletes entering the competition and three leaving with tickets to the National Championships.

Led by senior Michael Shuey's mark of 242'-5" (73.89m), Penn State finished 1-6-10 in the event as teammates Michael Biddle (220'-5"/67.18m) and Ryan Kerr (214'-7"/65.42m) made it three-for-three on advancing to Eugene for a shot at the National Championship. Shuey competed at the NCAA meet as a freshman finishing 24th in the javelin back in 2013.

Malik Moffett, the Big Ten long jump champion, will continue his season in Eugene after posting a top-12 finish in the event with his jump of 24'-8.25" (7.52m). Moffett jumped his way to Eugene on his final attempt after fouling his first two jumps.

Hannah Mulhern finished Thursday as an NCAA qualifier and new school record holder in the women's pole vault. Mulhern started the competition clearing the first two bars on the first attempt before finishing the day with a best and new school record clearance of 13'-5.25" (4.10m). Mulhern surpassed the previous record of 13'-4.50" (4.08m) set by Lexi Masterson earlier this season.

The final NCAA qualifier on the day was Jillian Hunsberger in the 10,000-meters, the final event of the first day. Hunsberger survived the 25-lap race in qualifying position running a time of 33:52.41 - a new personal best and the No. 3 time in program history.

Just as exciting as the NCAA qualifiers were the athletes who advanced to the quarterfinal of their respective events.

Xavier Smith advanced to tomorrow's quarterfinal of the men's 100-meter running 10.32 in his heat, advancing on time.

The men's and women's 800-meters saw Penn State advance four Nittany Lions to tomorrow's quarterfinal.

Danae Rivers earned an Auto-Q to the quarterfinal by winning her heat in a time of 2:08.39 while teammate Rachel Banks advanced on time finishing fourth in her heat in a time of 2:07.93.

Isaiah Harris and Domenic Perretta grabbed their Auto-Q finishes in the men's 800-meters with first and third-place finished in the First-Round. Harris won his heat in a time of 1:49.54 while Perretta ran 1:49.09 for third-place in his heat.

Also competing for Penn State on the opening day of First-Rounds were:
Morgan Shigo - Hammer Throw 216'-0" (65.85m)
Kory Decesaris - Hammer Throw 207'-0" (63.11m)
David Lucas - Hammer Throw 203'-6" (62.03m)
Steph Sievers - Javelin 150'-8" (45.93m)
Kayla Zoschg - Javelin 139'-5" (42.49m)
Lexi Masterson - Pole Vault 12'-11.50m)
Julie Kocjancic - 1,500-meters 4:37.81
Tyreek Mathis - 400-meters 47.82
Dan Chisena - 400-meters 47.89
Frances Bull - 800-meters 2:10.92
Billy McDevitt - 800-meters 1:50.24
Jordan Makins - 800-meters 1:50.46
John McGowan - 10,000-meters 31:04.23

Penn State will return for day two of the NCAA First-Rounds tomorrow starting at 2 p.m. ET with the women's discus.

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