JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Penn State Nittany Lions track & field program opened competition at the NCAA East Prelims on Thursday, May 23. Senior Morgan Shigo advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships with his performance in the men's hammer throw on Thursday.
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Beginning competition with the men's hammer throw, senior Morgan Shigo secured his place in the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a sixth-place finish. Shigo registered a top distance of 228-1 (69.53m) to advance to the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas. The Big Ten hammer throw champion returns to the NCAA Outdoor championships after a sixth-place finish in 2018. Shigo set the school record in the event last season in Eugene, Oregon. His best throw traveled 237-9 (72.47m) and gave him first team All-American status.
"Making it back to the NCAA Championships is something that Coach MacKay and I have been focusing on and really working towards. To be able to fulfill that goal for a second time this season is an awesome feeling. Just knowing that my training has paid off is a huge confident boost heading into Austin and the NCAA Championships." Shigo said of qualifying for his second-straight NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Junior Danae Rivers continued her dominance in the women's 800m race. Rivers advanced to Friday's quarterfinals with a first round time of 2:04.82, winning the first heat of the 800m. Rivers is fresh off a Big Ten Championship in both the 800m and 1500m races. She will compete at 6:30 ET tomorrow for a chance to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships at the University of Texas. Rivers was a first team All-American last year in the 1500m.
In the men's 800m race, sophomore Domenic Perretta secured himself a spot in the quarterfinals by running 1:50.35 in the final heat of the first round. Perretta was the Big Ten Indoor Champion and finished second at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in the 800m. Perretta competes immediately after Danae Rivers at 6:45 ET tomorrow for a chance to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Perretta was a second team All-American in the indoor 800m race.
Competing in his first NCAA East Prelims, Justin Ofotan also advanced in the men's 100m dash. Ofotan, who currently ranks 5th all-time at Penn State in the 100m, advanced to the quarterfinals with his time of 10.41. Ofotan competes at 6:15 ET tomorrow for an opportunity to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Colin Abert was the final Nittany Lion to advance in competition during the first day of the NCAA East Prelims. Abert finished second in his heat, running 3:46.61 in the 1500m. Abert competes Saturday in the quarterfinals.
The following Nittany Lions compete tomorrow on day two of the NCAA East Prelims:
Mark Porter & Michael Biddle | Men's Javelin | 12:00 PM
Thomas Bojalad | Men's Discus | 4:00 PM
Carena Nottoli | Women's Pole Vault | 5:00 PM
Justin Ofotan | Men's 100m | 6:15 PM
Danae Rivers | Women's 800m | 6:30 PM
Domenic Perretta | Men's 800m | 6:45 PM
James Abrahams | Men's 3000m Steeplechase | 9:00 PM
For more information on Penn State track & field, visit gopsusports.com.
