INDIANAPOLIS – Hayley Kitching set a meet record for the women while qualifying for the final in the 800m, while Ajani Dwyer broke a facility record for the men while moving on to the final in the 60m as Penn State competed in day two of the Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
In all, Penn State qualified 14 for the finals in events that had trials through the first two days of competition in Indianapolis, getting 10 finalists on the men’s side and four for the women. The men received a huge boost with an outstanding showing in the 800m. Allon Clay, Handal Roban, Yukichi Ishii, and Niko Schultz took four of the five spots in the trials and will make up half the field in Saturday’s final. Clay set a facility record, crossing the line in 1:46.31.
Kitching broke a meet record that stood for just one year with her time of 2:03.19. She already owns the program record in the event after setting the mark with a time of 1:59.22 just two weeks ago.
Dwyer posted the fastest time of the day in the 60m, breaking the facility record with a 6.55. That is just .01 seconds off his personal best, which is also Penn State’s program record.
FINALS QUALIFIERS
W Mile
Ada Rand heads to the final after a 4:40.43 finish, followed by Sarah Pickering who clutched the last qualifying spot with a 4:42.26.
M 400m
Jake Palermo secured a spot in the final after finishing in 45.87 for the fourth-fastest time of the trials.
M 60m
Ajani Dwyer moved on to the final while setting a facility record of 6.55.
W 800m
Hayley Kitching heads to the 800m final after setting a meet record of 2:03.19. Boh Ritchie also punched a ticket to the final, finishing with a time of 2:05.22.
M 800m
Allon Clay went 1:46.31 in the 800m prelims to lead the squad of himself, Handal Roban, Yukichi Ishii, and Niko Schultz to the final.
IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Ajani Dwyer
60m – Facility record (6.55)
Hayley Kitching
800m – Meet record (2:03.19)
Lucas Band
60m Hurdles – 10th in program history (8.03)
UP NEXT
Penn State completes competition at the Big Ten Indoor Championships Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
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