UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Nittany Lions track & field program was back in action following a week off with the Penn State Tri Meet on Saturday. The Nittany Lions head to Geneva, Ohio at the SPIRE Institute with the Big Ten Preview.
The Penn State women kicked off competition on Saturday morning.
Breana Gambrell continued her impressive 2021. For the second straight competition, Gambrell set a new personal-best in the long jump event. On her final attempt of the competition, Gambrell leapt 20-8.5 (6.31m) to claim her third straight long jump title of the season. She currently ranks No. 12 in the NCAA in the long jump and No. 2 in the Big Ten in the event.
The duo of Victoria VanRiele and Victoria Tachinski had another battle in the 600m race. Vanriele turned in a collegiate-best time of 1:29.51 to win the 600m race. Tachinski rank 1:29.77 to finish second. Last season, Tachinski set the Penn State record in the event with a time of 1:29.04.
Faith DeMars and Sophia Toti finished second and third in the mile, running 4:54.24 and 4:54.97 each setting a PR in the race. Nittany Lion Katie Munks won the event, running unattached with a time of 4:53.47.
Ekaterina Hupalo continued the trend of new PRs on Saturday. After winning her heat of the 60mH event, Hupalo set her new best time in the finals of the event. Hupalo ran 8.48 in the final for her new PR.
Erica Ellis won her third pole vault event of the season by clearing a season-best 13-1.75 (4.01m).
Gianna Rao opened her 2021 season on Saturday with a top toss of 59-9.75 (18.23m), placing second in the event. Piper Klinger finished just behind Rao, finishing third.
The 4x400m relay team of Jane Madson, Vanriele, Rachel Gearing and Antoinette Bradley capped the morning session of the meet with a season-best time of 3:44.68
On the men's side, Tyler Merkley improved his mark in the weight throw for the third straight competition. Merkley's best throw of 67-11.75 (20.72m) gave him the weight throw title.
Ben Peterson launched a season-best 59-5.5 (18.12m) to win the shot put title. Duane Knisley and Lucciano Pizarro finished second and third behind Peterson.
Other wins for the Nittany Lions included, Lance Hamilton (triple jump), Luke Knipe (pole vault), Sincere Rhea (60mH, 200m), Ben Bumgarner (mile).
Following the Nittany Lions competition at the Big Ten Preview at SPIRE, the Nittany Lions will host their final indoor meet of the season on February 19.
Keep up with all Penn State track & field on our social media accounts, @PennStateTFXC.