BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Penn State track and field men's 4x400m relay team clinched a spot to the final round of the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. to cap off the third day of the NCAA East Preliminary round Wednesday at host site Indiana University.
The 4x400m relay team of James Onwuka, Korbin Martino, Savion Hebron, and Olivier Desmeules punched their ticket to Eugene after stellar performances from all four legs. Originally seeded 24th out of 24 teams that qualified for the NCAA East Prelims, the relay team combined to clock a time of 3:06.63 and finish in 11th place. The time ranks as the seventh fastest in program history.
Brandon Hontz clocked a new personal-best time of 3:41.50 to place 12th overall in the men's 1500m quarterfinals, just narrowly missing a qualifying spot for the NCAA Championship finals.
Connor McMenamin placed 23rd in the 3,000m steeplechase with a time of 8:56.73.
Thomas Bojalad led off the day on the field, throwing a mark of 51.50m (168-11) in discus.
Making his NCAA East Prelims debut, freshman Isaac Osifo leaped to a mark of 2.05m (6-8.75) in high jump.
Big Ten bronze medalist Lance Hamilton recorded a mark of 15.35m (50-4.5) triple jump to place 23rd overall.
The Nittany Lions will conclude the NCAA East Preliminary round tomorrow when the women's team begins the day with the discus throw at 1 p.m.
