IOWA CITY, Iowa – Morgan Shigo made Penn State track & field history by winning the first men's hammer throw Big Ten championship in school history on the first day of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. The Nittany Lions had four medal winners on the first day of competition.
Recap
Beginning the day with the men's hammer throw, Morgan Shigo rewrote the Penn State record books. Shigo advanced to the finals in the hammer throw with his top throw of 228-3 (69.57m). In the finals of the event, Shigo never relinquished the lead. Shigo improved on every throw during the event, finishing with a best throw of 236-4 (72.04m). Along with being the first men's hammer throw Big Ten title for the Nittany Lions, it was also a facility record at the University of Iowa.
Joining Shigo on the podium, Luke Grodeska finished fifth in the men's hammer throw. Grodeska finished with a best throw of 210-2 (65.97m).
In the men's javelin, Mark Porter and Michael Biddle each climbed the medal stand for the Nittany Lions. Mark Porter continued to impress with his second-place performance in the javelin. Having already set a collegiate best throw of 222-11 (67.95m), Porter surpassed his mark with a top throw of 225-2 (68.64m) on his final attempt. Michael Biddle joined Porter on the medal stand by finishing third with a top throw of 221-10 (67.62m).
Continuing the Nittany Lions success in the field events, Madison Smith and Stephanie Sievers both set personal-best marks in the women's javelin. Madison Smith placed second with her personal-best throw of 173-4 (52.85m). Sievers' top throw came on her final attempt and traveled 164-0 (50.00m) to give her a fifth-place finish.
Another pair of Nittany Lions entered the Penn State record books with their performances on Friday. On the final event of the day, Kathryn Munks and Julia Paternain capped Friday's competition with a pair of career-bests. Kathryn Munks finished the women's 10,000m race in a time of 33:22.19 to finish fifth. Munks time was good for second all-time in Penn State history. Paternain finished just behind Munks with a time of 33:22.91 for the third-fastest time in Penn State history and a sixth-place finish.
Noah Swaby had a solid showing in the first five events of the decathlon during Friday's competition. Swaby set three personal-best marks in the 100m dash, long jump and the high jump. Swaby ranks seventh after the first five events of the decathlon. Swaby will finish the decathlon on Saturday with the final five events.
Several Nittany Lions advanced to Sunday's finals in numerous track events. Three Nittany Lions advanced to the finals of the men's 1500m race. Colin Abert, Owen Wing and Brandon Hontz each advanced to in the 1500m event and will race on Sunday for the Big Ten title.
Alexis Holmes and Danae Rivers each won their heats in their respective events to qualify for Sunday's finals. Holmes ran 23.59 to win her heat and advance in the 200m dash. Danae Rivers advanced to her third straight 1500m final with her performance on Friday. Rivers ran 4:20.14 and had the top time in the trial stage of the event. Rivers is the defending Big Ten champion in the 1500m.
The Nittany Lions continue competition at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships on Saturday.
For more information on Penn State track & field, visit gopsusports.com.
