UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State track & field program will host the PSU Tri Meet on Saturday, February 6. The Nittany Lions will host Rutgers and Maryland for the third time this indoor season.
Penn State was scheduled to compete at the Wolverine Invitational at the University of Michigan on February 6. Due to the Michigan athletic department undergoing a department-wide activity pause, all events previously scheduled on UM's campus were postponed.
The Nittany Lions track & field program is back in action after a week off. The Nittany Lions cross country program competed last weekend at the Big Ten Cross Country Championships in Shelbyville, Indiana.
Visiting Teams
Rutgers, Maryland
Follow Along
Live Stream – Session 1/Session 2
Meet Schedule
Heat Sheets
Penn State Invite Rewind
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.
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.
Nittany Lions in the Top 25
Breana Gambrell | Long Jump | 20-8 (6.30m) | 10th NCAA | 2nd Big Ten
Evan Dorenkamp | Mile | 4:01.91 | 10th NCAA | 1st NCAA
Victoria Tachinski | 800m | 2:06.71 | 12th NCAA | 4th Big Ten
Sincere Rhea | 60mH | 7.88 | 16th NCAA | T-3rd Big Ten
Victoria Vanriele | 800m | 2:08.45 | 22nd NCAA | 10th Big Ten
Tyler Merkley | Hammer Throw | 66-7.75 (20.31m) | 25th NCAA | 5th Big Ten
Full Indoor Schedule
Jan. 16 – Nittany Lion Opener (University Park, Pa.) – Completed
Jan. 23 – Penn State Invite (University Park, Pa.) - Completed
Feb. 6 - @ Wolverine Invitational (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – Postponed
Feb. 6 – PSU Tri Meet (University Park, Pa.)
Feb. 12-13 – Big Ten Preview @ Spire (Geneva, Ohio)
Feb. 19 – Penn State Tune Up (University Park, Pa.)
Feb. 25-27 – Big Ten Indoor Championships (Geneva, Ohio)
March 11-13 – NCAA Indoor Championships (Fayetteville, Ark.)