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T&F Preview: Virginia Challenge & Bucknell Team Challenge

Opens in a new window Virginia Challenge Schedule Opens in a new window Live Results

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. & LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Nittany Lions track & field program is split this weekend between the Virginia Challenge and the Bucknell Team Challenge. After this weekend, the Nittany Lions have two meets prior to the Big Ten Outdoor Championships.

FOLLOW ALONG
LIVE RESULTS

LOOKING BACK AT THE BISON OUTDOOR CLASSIC
35 Nittany Lions placed in the top-10 last weekend at the Bison Outdoor Classic hosted by Bucknell University. 

On the final day of competition, four Nittany Lions won their respective events.  Breana Gambrell (Long Jump), Gianna Rao (Hammer Throw), and Luke Grodeska (Hammer Throw) all set personal-bests for the Nittany Lions at the Bison Outdoor Classic. 

Ben Peterson won his second-straight shot put event at the Bison Outdoor Classic. Michael Biddle's impressive spring continued as he won the men's javelin event for the third time this spring.  Biddle was followed by teammate Mark Porter, who finished second in the event.  Matt Nawrocki rounded out the top-five finishes for the Nittany Lions. Nawrocki finished fourth to give the Nittany Lions three of the top four places in the men's javelin. 

Marissa Sheva's performance in the 3000-meter steeplechase currently places her sixth in the Big Ten in the event.  Sheva competed the race in a time of 10:35.10 to give her a fourth-place finish. 

Moira O'Shea also moved into the top-ten in the Big Ten with her time in the women's 1500-meter race.  O'Shea finished ninth with a time of 4:23.34. 

BIG TEN RANKINGS
The Nittany Lions have 35 student-athletes that rank in the top-10 in the Big Ten in their respective events.

Danae Rivers and Domenic Perretta each top the 800-meter race on the men's and women's events. Alexis Holmes ranks in the top-10 in both the women's 200-meter and the women's 400-meter race.

Morgan Shigo tops the Big Ten in the men's hammer throw with his top distance of 234-4 (71.44m)

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Heading into the weekend, the Nittany Lions have 16 performances that rank in the top-35 in the nation.

No. 3 | Danae Rivers | 800-Meter | 2:03.63
No. 5 | Morgan Shigo | Hammer | 234-4 (71.44m)
No. 6 | Alexis Holmes | 400-Meter | 52.08
No. 8 | Domenic Perretta | 800-Meter | 1:47.75
No. 18 | Colin Abert | 1500-Meter | 3:44.26
No. 18 | Payden Montana | Shot Put | 53-10.25 (16.41m)
No. 21 | Devin Bradham | High Jump | 7-1 (2.16m)
No. 22 | Julia Paternain | 5000-Meter | 16:06.67
No. 27 | Moira O'Shea | 5000-Meter | 16:11.46
No. 28 | Michael Biddle | Javelin | 223-9 (68.20m)
No. 31 | Drew Maher | 1500-Meter | 3.44.88
No. 31 | Luke Grodeska | Hammer | 212-4 (64.73m)
No. 32 | Alexa Parks | High Jump | 5-9.25 (1.76m)
No. 34 | Ben Peterson | Shot Put | 60-0.25 (18.29m)
No. 35 | James Abrahams | 3000 Steeplechase | 8:57.26
No. 35 | Breana Gambrell | Long Jump | 20-3.75 (6.19m)

NEXT TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions compete at the Penn Relays next week Thursday through Saturday.