UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State track & field team wrapped up its regular season with the Jim Thorpe Invitational on Friday. The Nittany Lions honored their seniors with a ceremony following the meet.
Jean Starr's PR in the hammer throw highlighted the competition for Penn State. The senior thew 192-9 (58.75m) to win the competition, a throw that is good for fifth in Penn State history in the event.
Rain hindered the middle section of the meet, with the conclusion of the men's pole vault, in addition to both the men's and women's high jump events, having to take place indoors.
TRACK EVENT SUMMARY
In the men's 400m, Austin Gallant ran a 47.03 personal-best to claim the win. Teammate Savion Hebron followed with a 48.08 for second place.
Penn State swept the women's 800-meter run, earning each of the top four spots. Victoria Vanriele posted a season-best 2:07.25 for first place, Lea Hatcher finished second with a 2:11.82, Isabella Culver finished third with a 2:14.95 and Samantha Hayes set a new PR with a 2:15.11. For the men, Carter Fitzgerald ran a season-best 1:49.58 to win the event with James Kisker running a personal-best 1:54.59 in second place.
Kristian Phennicie posed yet another event win for the Nittany Lions, clocking a 22.29 for the first-place finish.
Penn State concluded the track events with a win in the 3,000-meter run. Charlotte Costich posted a 9:53.60 PR for the victory.
FIELD EVENT SUMMARY
Starr led off the competition with her hammer throw win, earning Penn State's first victory of the day. Hailey Zurich followed suit with a pole vault win, clearing 13-3.5 (4.05m) for the title.
Shannon Mullin won the women's triple jump with a 37-4 (11.38m) leap.
Luke Knipe and Tristan McGarrah finished first and second in the men's pole vault, with Knipe clearing 16-10.75 (5.15m) to secure the win.
A pair of freshman PRs in both the men's and women's high jumps rounded out the afternoon of field competition. Gwen Cudmore won the women's high jump with a personal-best 5-7.75 (1.72m) clearance while Timothy Watson secured a 6-9.75 (2.08m) personal-best mark for the win on the men's side.
UP NEXT
Penn State will travel to the Big Ten Championships next weekend with competition taking place from Friday, May 12, to Sunday, May 14.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc).
