UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lions track & field program continued their indoor campaign on Saturday by hosting their second meet in as many weeks.
Saturday's competition saw several Nittany Lions set new PRs in a variety of events.
For the second consecutive week, Breana Gambrell swept the long jump and triple jump. Gambrell began her day by turning in the current No. 8 ranking in the NCAA and No. 1 in the Big Ten in the long jump. Her best jump of 20-8 (6.30m) set another PR in the event. Gambrell was joined by Audra Koopman to set PRs on Saturday. Koopman's best jump of 19-8.75 (6.01m) on her first attempt was good for second place.
Gambrell was equally impressive in the triple jump, setting her second PR of the day with a best jump of 41-4 (12.60m) to win the triple jump.
Also setting a PR in the field events, Mallory Kauffman turned in her career-best performance of 51-4.5 (15.66m) in the shot put event for the Nittany Lions.
On the track, the 800m tandem of Victoria Tachinski and Victoria Vanriele each ran to career performances.
Tachinski's PR of 2:06.71 ranks third all-time in Penn State history in the women's indoor 800m event. Vanriele's 2:08.45 was the best of her young career as a Nittany Lion. Tachinski's time currently ranks No. 6 in the NCAA and No. 2 in the Big Ten. Vanriele is close behind, ranking No. 13 in the NCAA and No. 3 in the Big Ten.
Alexa Parks finished first for the Nittany Lions in the high jump, Erica Ellis claimed her second win of the year in the pole vault and Elizabeth Gilpatrick won her second mile event of the year for the Nittany Lions.
Capping of the afternoon, the women's 4x400m team of Jane Madson, Jermecia Brown, Vanriele and Tachinski were victorious in the event, clocking 3:48.07.
On the men's side, Sincere Rhea continued his strong performances in the 60mH. Following his win in the 60mH prelims, Rhea's time of 7.88 in the finals gave him his second 60mH win of the season. Rhea was the Big Ten bronze medalist in the event in 2020.
In his return to the indoor track, senior Domenic Perretta turned in a 4:11.61 mile to finish first in the race. Perretta was the Big Ten Indoor Champion in the 800m race in 2019.
Tyler Merkley was victorious again in the weight throw event for Penn State. The junior's top toss of 66-7.75 (20.31m) was his season-best toss. Sophomore Lance Hamilton top distance of 48-8 (14.83m) in the triple jump gave the State College native the win.
The Nittany Lions travel to Michigan for their next meet of the 2021 indoor season on February 6.
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