UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State Nittany Lions track & field team returned to the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track on Friday for the first day of the National Open.
Freshman Sincere Rhea moved his named higher in the Penn State record book with his performance in the 60m hurdles on Friday. Rhea opened his day by running 7.97, winning his heat of the prelims. Rhea then qualified for the finals, running 8.04 in the semifinal to advance to the 60m hurdles final.
Rhea proceeded to record the second-fastest time in program history in the 60m hurdles. Rhea ran 7.81 in the final to move his name to No. 2 in the Penn State record book in the event.
Men's 60m Hurdles | Final
— Penn State Track & Field/Cross Country (@PennStateTFXC) February 1, 2020
Sincere Rhea runs 7.81 good for second all-time in Penn State history! #WeAre #PSUTF pic.twitter.com/cDfm5376yQ
The sprint squad also saw sophomore Justin Ofotan turn in a personal-best performance in the 60m dash. Ofotan improved his time in each of his three races on Friday. Ofotan opened the 60m dash with his time of 6.85 in the prelims. Ofotan proceeded to run 6.78 to qualify for the 60m final. Ofotan then set his new personal-best mark at 6.75 to finish second in the 60m dash.
Along with Ofotan, junior Brooke-Lynn Williams qualified for the women's 60m dash final. Williams ran a season-best time of 7.48 in the 60m dash final to complete her day of competition.
Competing in her first meet of the season, sophomore Rachel Gearing finished second in the women's triple jump. Gearing jumped 40-2.75 (12.26m) in her first meet of 2020.
Senior David Lucas was the top collegiate finisher in the men's weight throw. Lucas' toss of 72-7 (22.12m) was tops of his season. Lucas placed second overall behind former Nittany Lion Morgan Shigo. Shigo's toss of 22.48m was a new National Open meet record.
Men's weight throw |
— Penn State Track & Field/Cross Country (@PennStateTFXC) February 1, 2020
David Lucas with a toss of 72-7 (22.12m) on his third throw.
Lucas is currently second behind former Nittany Lion @MorganShigo. #WeAre #PSUTF pic.twitter.com/MWZQyLSrHQ
The women's weight throw saw Gianna Rao place second in the event. Rao threw 64-9.25 (19.74m) on her fourth toss of the competition. Rao has finished in the top two in the weight throw in both of the Nittany Lions home meets so far this year.
The Nittany Lions continue competition on Saturday for the second day of the National Open. Fan can watch day two of competition live on FloTrack or with live results.
For more information on Penn State track & field, visit gopsusports.com/tf.