JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Danae Rivers and Mark Porter both qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships with their performances on day two of the NCAA East Prelims. The Nittany Lions wrap up competition on Saturday, May 24.
RECAP
A calm, cool and collected performance by junior Danae Rivers led to her second straight appearance in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. From the opening gun, Rivers comfortably moved into third place off the opening turn. She remained with the lead pack through the first 600m. Rivers kicked into another gear on the final 200m to pull away and win the final heat of the 800m race. Rivers ran a season-best 2:03.58 to win her heat and advance to the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas.
The defending national champion in the 800m indoor race will look to add to her already impressive resume. Rivers was a first team All-American in the 1500m last season and a three-time All-American in indoor competition (Mile-2017, 800m-2018, 800m-2019).
Also earning his way to Austin, Texas was sophomore Mark Porter. Building off his success at the Big Ten Championships, Porter punched his ticket to Texas in dramatic fashion. Needing to throw 66.07m to advance to the NCAA Championship, Porter unleashed his final throw at 67.50m to finish sixth in the event.
Competing in an extremely talented 100m quarterfinal, Justin Ofotan turned in his career-best time at 10.38. Despite not making the NCAA Championships, Ofotan continued to lower his time in the final three meets in which he competed (Penn Relays-10.48, Big Ten Championships-10.39, NCAA East Prelims-10.38).
The Nittany Lions have six events on the final day at the NCAA East Prelims.
Penn State will compete in the following events on Saturday:
Men's Shot Put | Ben Peterson | 2:30 PM
Men's High Jump | Devin Bradham | 4:00 PM
Women's Shot Put | Payden Montana | 5:15 PM
4x100 Women's Relay | Brooke-Lynn Williams, Kianna Albury, Amariah Thomas, Kiara Lester | 6:00 PM
Men's 1500m Quarterfinals | Colin Abert | 6:45 PM
Women's 5000m | Moira O'Shea & Julia Paternain | 8:05 PM
