Jan. 26, 2018
Day One Results
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State wrapped up the opening day of the Penn State National Open at the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track with six event titles and several impressive performances.
Maddie Holmberg got things going for Penn State in the women's pentathlon. Holmberg posted marks of 8.56 in the 60-meter hurdles, 1.73m (5'-8") in the high jump, 14.02m (46'-0") in the shot put - a Penn State pentathlon school-record - 5.98m (19'-7.50") in the long jump and 2:14.46 in the 800-meters to capture the pentathlon title with a total score of 4133 that is the No. 3 mark in the NCAA this season.
The men's Distance Medley Relay of Isaiah Harris, Dan Chisena, Domenic Perretta and Colin Abert combined to run a season-best time of 9:36.48, almost a full 18-seconds ahead of second-place La Salle (9:54.03). The Nittany Lion Relay is currently ranked No. 3 in the NCAA behind Oregon and BYU.
In the 60-meter hurdles, Quenee Dale advanced from the prelims through the semifinal before finishing the night with a second-place finish in the event running a season-best time of 8.30 trailing only 2016 Rio Olympic finalist Tiffany Porter who won the event in 8.16 seconds.
In the men's 60-meter hurdles, current Penn State volunteer assistant coach and 2016 Olympian Eddie Lovett took the title running a quick 7.79.
The final of the women's 60-meters saw three Nittany Lions in the field as Keianna Albury (7.37), Brooke-Lynn Williams (7.55) and Deja Davis (7.72) all posted season-best times in the finals taking first, third and sixth-place, respectively.
Just like the women's 60-meter final, the men's 60-meter final also featured three Nittany Lions who all set season-bests competing for the title.
Xavier Smith was the first to the line in 6.72, followed closely by Malik Moffett in third at 6.75 while freshman Terrance Laird took fifth in 6.78.
In the field, David Lucas once again broke the school record in the weight throw, this time besting his own mark set earlier this season at the Nittany Lion Challenge. Lucas won the meet with a school record throw of 21.81m (71'-6.75") on his final throw of the competition - currently ranked No. 7 in the NCAA.
Morgan Shigo took second with a personal best mark of 20.77m (68'-1.75"), while freshman Luke Grodeska finished fifth with his huge PR of 18.95m (62'-2.25").
Malik Moffett was the top male long jumper on the day with his jump of 7.18m (23'-6.75"), while Audra Koopman finished fourth on the women's side posting her mark of 5.66m (18'-7").
Penn State will return for day two of the Penn State National Open tomorrow morning starting at 11:20 a.m. ET and will run through 5:15 p.m. ET. The final day of the Penn State National Open will feature the banner unveiling of Penn State's 2017 Big Ten indoor and outdoor titles as well as the "Barney Ewell 200-meter invitational" honoring the 100th birthday of the late great Nittany Lions and USATF Olympian.
For a full listing of times and results click here.
For more on Nittany Lion track & field, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateTFXC.