PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - 35 years ago today, the 4x800m relay team of Vance Watson, Steve Shisler, Chris Mills and Randy Moore wrote their names into Penn Relay lore. As Moore broke the tape, the Nittany Lions set the school and Penn Relays record with a time of 7:11.17.
Vance Watson opened the race, running 1:49.2, giving the Nittany Lions the early lead. Watson handed the baton to Steve Shisler, who kept the Lions out front with a split of 1:47.9.
Chris Mills took the baton from Shisler for the third leg and finished his leg with a time of 1:48.5. Penn State remained in the lead with Mills split as Randy Moore began his anchor leg.
Moore turned in a blazing 1:45.5 on his anchor leg, which was the fastest in Penn Relays history at the time.
The Nittany Lions final time of 7:11.17 captured the Championship of America and set the record, which remains the oldest record of any Championship of America college relay.
The 4x800m relay team was later enshrined on the Penn Relays Wall of Fame for their record-breaking performance.
Including the 1985 4x800m Championship of America, the Nittany Lions have won 34 relay titles in the history of the Penn Relays.
For more information on Penn State track & field, visit gopsusports.com/tf.
