UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State track and field team made the short in-state trip to the University of Pennsylvania this weekend to compete in Penn Relays. This meet is one of the final key meets the team will compete in before postseason competition, and the the Nittany Lions are ready to start peaking at the right time.
In previous years, some of Penn State's athletes have competed at this meet not only as a Nittany Lion, but as a high school competitor. One of those competitors is freshman thrower Payden Montana, who is excited to show the new skills she has gained this past year.
Being a new member of this team, Montana has already learned so many new life lessons and skills since the last time she competed at the Relays, and she hopes to carry those on with her throughout her time here.
"I have really enjoyed it here but it is a lot different from high school. Being around this team and having a new coach has been really helpful with the adjustment," Montana said.
Montana was immediately taken in by the core group of throwers. This has not only helped her adjust to the school, but she was also able to make some lifelong friendships with her teammates.
"The older throwers have helped me by guiding me and giving me pointers because they have a lot more experience than I do," she said.
Montana has already been in communication with some of the new incoming athletes and has helped guide them just as the upperclassmen did for her this past year. She feels that it is important to not only have teammates but to find friendships within those people.
"There were definitely a lot of surprises this freshman year," Montana said. "I hope to prepare the new underclassmen so they are aware of everything that could happen being a new member on this team."
As the season continues to fly by, Montana is excited to compete in Philadelphia this weekend. Last year as a high schooler, Montana was the Penn Relays champion in shot put with a throw of 15.42 meters.
"That was exciting and the peak of my high school athletic career. This year, being a college athlete, it is a whole new field. I am just looking to throw well for myself," Montana said.
Montana keeps a healthy mindset by solely worrying about herself and her own throws. She is an intense competitor and is always trying to improve and beat her previous marks.
Keeping that mindset as her first year winds down will be key for her with the postseason approaching.
"This meet is on a bigger scale than some other meets this season," Montana said. "It is much more similar to postseason meets regarding to atmosphere and competition. There has been a bigger focus on preparing for this weekend specifically."
With the enthusiasm of her teammates and coaches, Montana is proud to wear her Penn State uniform at any meet. Returning to a meet that she previously competed at as a younger athlete and wearing Blue and White is already a dream come true.
"It is definitely exciting to represent Penn State and just compete against the other great athletes that are going to be there," Montana said.
Being a freshman at high-level meets can cause a lot of pressure and nervousness, but Montana is ready to just compete to the best of her abilities.
"At the end of the day this is just another meet. I have been staying focused in training and my goals have continued to grow," Montana said.
Following the Penn Relays this weekend, Penn State will host the Jim Thorpe Open on May 3rd before the Big Ten Championships begin May 10th.
