Jan. 13, 2018
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No. 22/23 Penn State opened the 2018 season at home on the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track at Multi-Sport facility with a strong showing that featured two school record performances on opening weekend.
In a weekend that featured multiple top-eight finishes and personal bests, two performances stood above them all.
The first, Bryce Williams who etched his name in the record books for his performance in the triple jump Saturday afternoon. Williams, who entered the meet with a personal best of 15.75m (51'-8.25) indoor and 15.90m (52'-2") outdoor used his second jump of the meet to establish a new program record jumping out to a mark of 16.24m (53'-3.50"). The mark surpassed the program record of 16.17m (53'-0.75") set by Chavous Nichols set back in 2003.
The second, David Lucas who set a new program record in the weight throw. Lucas entered the meet No. 5 all-time in the event but moved his name all the way to the top launching a throw of 21.52m (70'-7.25") to cement himself as one of the best to come through Penn State in the event.
Along with Lucas in the weight throw, Penn State finished second, third and fourth in the event with help from Morgan Shigo, Ben Peterson, and Luke Grodeska, respectively.
Penn State had multiple athletes who turned in first-place finishes on opening weekend including Keianna Albury (60-meters), Rachael DeCecco (400-meters), Megan McCloskey (high jump), Terrance Laird (60-meters), Jordan Makins (1,000-meters), Colin Abert (Mile - MEET RECORD), Chisom Ifedi (high jump), the men's & women's 4x800-meter relays and the men's 4x400-meter relay.
The Nittany Lions also boasted several athletes who turned in top-eight finishes including:
2nd Quenee Dale - 60-meter hurdles
2nd Women's 4x400-meter relay
2nd Men's 4x800-meter relay
2nd Kelsey Vieira - Triple Jump
2nd Audra Koopman - Long Jump
2nd Will Henderson - 60-meter hurdles
2nd Will Henderson - Long Jump
2nd Jon Yohman - Shot Put
3rd Katie Jones - Pole Vault
3rd Morgan Shigo - Shot Put
3rd Austin Campbell - High Jump
3rd Isaiah Harris - Mile
3rd Xavier Smith - 60-meters
3rd Billy McDevitt - 1,000-meters
3rd Greta Lindsley - Mile
4th Ben Peterson - Shot Put
5th Luke Grodeska - Shot Put
5th Joey Logue - 1,000-meters
5th Marissa Sheva - 1,000-meters
5th Kelsey Vieira - Long Jump
5th Anton Porter - 60-meters
6th Devin Bradham - High Jump
6th Darien Williams - 60-meters
6th Olivia Giambra - Triple Jump
6th Obeng Marfo - Weight Throw
7th Lisa Bennatan - Mile
7th Brooke-Lynn Williams - 60-meters
7th Greer Gumbrecht - Pole Vault
8th Elyse Skerpon - 400-meters
8th Tessa Barrett - Mile
8th Spencer Hay - High Jump
Penn State hits the road to take part in the two-day Clemson Invitational hosted by Clemson University Jan. 19-20 at Rock Norman Track & Field Complex.
For more on Nittany Lion track & field, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateTFXC.