TEMPE, Ariz. - The Penn State track & field programs began team competition for the first time in the 2019 outdoor season on Friday at the Arizona State Invitational. The Nittany Lions had student-athletes compete in four events during the first day of the two-day meet in Tempe.
Fresh off his All-American performance at the NCAA Indoor Championships, Morgan Shigo won the men's hammer throw on Friday. In Shigo's third attempt, he registered a best toss of 232 feet, five inches (70.84m). After a foul on his first attempt, Shigo never relinquished the lead following his second throw. Shigo was a first team All-American last season in the hammer throw and holds the school record in the event.
The Nittany Lions finished 1,2,3 in the event as Luke Grodeska and Jack Zimmerman finished directly behind Shigo. Grodeska final attempt registered a distance of 208-6 (63.75m) to give him a second-place finish. Jack Zimmerman's best throw traveled 186-9 (56.94m). Ben Peterson placed fifth with a best throw of 164-8 (50.21m) for Penn State in the event.
Gianna Rao and Piper Klinger represented the Nittany Lions in the women's hammer throw. Rao placed fifth in the event and Klinger finished seventh respectively.
Rao's top throw registered a distance of 177 feet, 10 inches (54.22m). Klinger's top distance recorded was 130-6 (39.78m).
Payden Montana finished third in the women's discus throw. Montana's final throw gave her a third-place finish with a distance of 162 feet, three inches (49.47m).
Piper Klinger also competed in the discus throw after competing in the women's hammer throw earlier in the day. Klinger placed sixth with a best throw of 140-1 (42.70m).
Thomas Bojalad and Noah Swaby were the final Nittany Lions to compete on the first day of the Arizona State Invitational. Bojalad and Swaby finished second and third in the men's discus throw. Bojalad's top throw registered a distance of 167-5 (51.03m). Swaby's best throw traveled a distance of 165-11 (50.57m).
Penn State continues competition on Saturday in Tempe.
Follow Saturday's events by clicking here.
