UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 11 Penn State men’s track & field’s Darius Smallwood, along with Hayley Kitching of the Penn State women’s track & field team, collected Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week honors for their historic performances at the Penn State National Open this past weekend, the conference announced Wednesday afternoon.
Smallwood doubled up over the weekend at Penn State’s home meet, running personal-bdst marks in both the 800m and 600m to collect this week’s Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week honor. In the 800-meters on Friday night, the Potts__ native threw down a 1:46.28 PR, the No. 3 mark in the NCAA this season. Smallwood doubled back on Saturday and ran the 600-meters in 1:15.49, the second-fastest mark in the NCAA this year and the tenth-fastest time in collegiate history. Both of his times lead the Big Ten this season.
On the women’s side, Kitching lowered her own Penn State school record in the 800-meter run with a blazing 2:01.14. The Australian currently ranks fourth in the NCAA and tops in the Big Ten.
Smallwood and Kitching pick up Penn State’s fifth and sixth conference weekly awards this season. Smallwood’s efforts have the Nittany Lion men ranked 11th in the country while Kitching has helped the Nittany Lion women ranked 30th, just outside the top-25.
PENN STATE’S 2024-25 BIG TEN TRACK & FIELD WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Feb. 5 – Hayley Kitching – Women’s Track Athlete of the Week
Feb. 5 – Darius Smallwood – Men’s Track Athlete of the Week
Jan. 29 – Ajani Dwyer – Men’s Freshman of the Week
Jan. 22 – Hayley Kitching – Women’s Track Athlete of the Week
Dec. 11 – Ryan Henry – Men’s Field Athlete of the Week
Dec. 11 – Ajani Dwyer – Men’s Freshman of the Week
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