LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Penn State track & field team qualified five entries from its men's team to the NCAA quarterfinals during competition on Wednesday at the UK Track & Field Complex.
Cheickna Traore crossed the line in the 200-meter dash first round in 20.17, lowering his own school record in the event and qualifying for Friday's quarterfinals. Traore also qualified for the 100-meter dash quarterfinals, posting stellar outings in both his events on Wednesday.
QUARTERFINAL QUALIFIERS
Traore's 10.33 in the 100-meter dash secured the third automatic qualifying mark in the third heat. He will run in the NCAA quarterfinals on Friday at 6:35 p.m. His 200-meter qualifying run was the nightcap for the Nittany Lions, and he will set the blocks in the quarterfinals in that event at 7:50 p.m. on Friday.
Penn State also set three of its four entries in the men's 800-meters to the quarterfinal round. Darius Smallwood clocked a lifetime-best 1:47.59 to secure the third-fastest qualifying mark in the field and advance to Friday's quarterfinals. Handal Roban, the three-time 800-meter All-American, secured his spot in the quarterfinals with a 1:49.19 as the second-fastest runner in his heat. Yukichi Ishii edged out the final automatic qualifying mark in heat three by 0.01, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 1:49.96.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES
Tristan McGarrah closed out his stellar sophomore pole vault season with his first appearance in NCAA postseason competition. McGarrah cleared 16-7.5 (5.07m) for 35th in the region.
In the men's shot put, Duane Knisely finished 21st in the region with a 59-7.5 (18.17m) best throw. Teammate Dylan Lambrecht placed 34th in the competition with a 57-4.75 (17.49m) heave.
Chris Fredericks finished 27th in the region with a 206-3 (62.86m) mark in the javelin throw.
In the running events, Evan Dorenkamp concluded his season with a 3:46.42 in the 1500m while true freshman Kaleb Nastari finished his first year in the Blue & White with his outing in the 800m.
UP NEXT
Penn State's women's team will begin competition Thursday morning when Samaria McDonald competes in the hammer throw at 10 a.m.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
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