May 10, 2018
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State track & field program heads to Bloomington, Indiana, for the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The meet is hosted by Indiana University at the Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex, May 11-13.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow along with the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships by either watching live on FloTrack.org or BTN2go.com, fans must have an account with those respective sites to watch. The Big Ten Network (BTN) will air tape delay coverage of the meet on May 16 at 7 p.m. (EDT) Live results can be found on pttiming.com.
LAST TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions wrapped up the 2018 outdoor regular season with the Jim Thorpe Open at the Nittany Lion Outdoor Track. The meet was highlighted by Quenee Dale improving her No. 6 spot all-time at Penn State in the women's 100-meter hurdles (13.62) and Jon Yohman tallying a season-best toss of 59-10.25 in the men's shot put.
LOOKING BACK AT THE 2017 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Last year at the 2017 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the Penn State men's program captured its first conference title in program history.
In addition to Isaiah Harris (800-meter run - 1:49.68) and Malik Moffett (200-meter dash - 19.87, long jump - 26-3) winning titles, several Nittany Lions scored points in their respective events to help Penn State capture the team title.
On the women's side, the Nittany Lions finished third in the team standings.
Individually for the Penn State women, Danae Rivers won the 800-meter run (2:04.14) and placed second in the 1,500-meter run (4:21.86), while Dannielle Gibson won the triple jump (45-1.75).
DEFENDING THEIR TITLES
A trio of Nittany Lions enter the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships looking to defend titles in their respective events. On the women's side, then-freshman Danae Rivers ran 2:04.14 en route to the second 800-meter run title in program history (Erica Bosler - 1998).
For the Penn State men, Isaiah Harris is the two-time defending champion in the 800-meter run (1:46.21 - 2016 & 1:49.68 - 2017) and Malik Moffett won the 200-meter dash (19.87) and the long jump (26-3) last year.
#800U
Heading into the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the Penn State men's program has finished first in the 800-meter run in seven of the last nine meets (2009-12 & 2015-17).
PENN STATE AT THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Penn State will be competing at the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the 27th time in program history this weekend.
For the Penn State men, the Nittany Lions have won one team title (2017) and have combined for 46 Big Ten individual and relay titles.
On the women's side, the Nittany Lions have won five team titles (2008-10, '13-14) and have combined for 55 Big Ten individual and relay titles.
BIG TEN RANKINGS
Heading into the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the Penn State women have 16 top-10 marks in the among the Big Ten rankings, while the Penn State men have 14.
Among the leaders on the men's side, Isaiah Harris has the top mark in the 800-meter run and Michael Biddle has the top mark in the javelin throw. For the Penn State women, Danae Rivers has the top time in the 800-meter run and the 1,500-meter run.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Heading into the meet, the Nittany Lions have eight performances that rank in the top-25 between the men's and women's programs.
No. 4 | Danae Rivers | 1,500-meter run | 4:10.82
No. 7 | David Lucas | discus throw | 200-0
No. 8 | Michael Biddle | javelin throw | 233-7
No. 8 | Danae Rivers | 800-meter run | 2:03.78
No. 10 | Isaiah Harris | 800-meter run | 1:47.66
No. 11 | Morgan Shigo | hammer throw | 233-0
No. 11 | Maddie Holmberg | heptathlon | 5,736
No. 15 | Kier Miner, Xavier Smith, Samuel Reiser, and Isaiah Harris | 4x400-meter relay | 3:05.13
IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Throughout the 2018 outdoor season, Penn State track & field has set 20 top-10 performances in school history, which includes five school records.
SCHOOL RECORDS SET IN 2018:
Hammer throw | Morgan Shigo | 233-0
Sprint medley relay | Xavier Smith, Malik Moffett, Kier Miner, and Isaiah Harris | 3:15.25
1,500-meter run | Danae Rivers | 4:10.82
Pole vault | Hannah Mulhern | 13-6.25
Sprint medley relay | Keianna Albury, Kiara Lester, Deja Davis, and Danae Rivers | 3:47.80
No. 25 IN THE NATION
The Penn State men's track & field program ranks No. 25 in the nation, according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
In the national rankings, Penn State is the No. 3 Big Ten team as Illinois checks in at No. 19 and Nebraska is No. 21.
NEXT TIME OUT
Penn State track & field travels to Tampa, Florida, for the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field East Preliminary Round.
The 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field East Preliminary Round takes place at the USF Track & Field Stadium on the campus of the University of South Florida, May 24-26. To qualify for the NCAA East Preliminary Round, the top-48 declared individuals and top-24 relays are selected.