ORLANDO -- The Penn State track and field teams closed out a split-squad meet weekend with another strong overall showing on Saturday at the Knights Invite, collecting five more event victories and three personal records.
The Nittany Lions combined for 12 event victories and three field event sweeps over the course of the weekend.
Senior Gianna Rao continued a dominant weekend of field events for the Nittany Lions early in the day, placing third in the women's hammer throw with a distance of 59.72m (195-11). Following up his win in men's discus on Friday, Tyler Merkley took first place in men's hammer throw with a distance of 69.22m (227-01). Freshman Collin Burkhart finished second with a toss of 62.22m (204-01).
Breana Gambrell secured her second top-10 program finish of the weekend when she cleared a distance of 12.57m (41-03) in triple jump. That mark now ranks ninth all-time for the Nittany Lions. Tesia Thomas achieved an outdoor personal best when she landed a 12.51m (41-0.50) triple jump, finishing in third place. First-year Isaac Osifo secured his first outdoor win in men's high jump, clearing a height of 2.07m (6-9.50).
The Nittany Lions saw their third field event sweep of the weekend in men's triple jump. Junior Lance Hamilton outleaped the field with a personal-best mark of 15.63m (51-3.50). The duo of Wesley Matsuka-Williams and Joe Cardina rounded out the sweep. Matsuka-Williams finished with a jump of 15.15m (49-8.50) for second.
On the track, Indoor All-Big Ten first team selection Yasmin Brooks made her first outdoor appearance in the 100 meter hurdles, finishing third with a time of 13.64 seconds.
The 400 meter dash was a strong race for the Nittany Lions, with Jermecia Brown setting a personal record time of 55.64 en route to a first-place finish. She was followed by junior Jane Madson, who came in second with a time of 56.02. On the men's side, freshman Korbin Martino continued to impress as he made his outdoor debut in the 400 meter dash, finishing in second place with a time of 48.22.
Sophomore Ka'mere Day continued a spectacular weekend of his own, winning his second sprinting event after he placed first in the men's 100m dash with another personal-best time of 10.50 seconds.
The Penn State women's 4x100 relay team of Brooks, Gambrell, Brown and first-year Lauren Princz sprinted to a second-place finish with a time of 45.92.
The Nittany Lions returns to Florida next weekend when they compete in the Florida Relays at the University of Florida.
FULL RESULTS: http://live.halfmiletiming.com/meets/364/events
Click Here for Friday's recap.
