UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State track & field completed its second day of competition at the NCAA First Round Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky. The biggest storylines included a runner improving her own program record and a thrower who qualified for nationals.
Hayley Kitching set the tone for the Nittany Lions when she recorded the program record in the women’s 800-meter run. The Coffs Harbour, Australia native broke two minutes, running a 1:59.60. Kitching’s time was the fastest in the preliminary phase and advanced her to Saturday’s races.
Two additional athletes advanced in the 800-meter run. Freshman Boh Ritchie advanced after running the second-fastest time in her preliminary heat at 2:04.20. Allison Johnson also advanced with a 2:04.55, the third-fastest time in her heat.
Marie-Eloise LeClair also advanced to Saturday with a 23.00 in the 200-meter dash. LeClair’s time moved her into third in program history, topping her 23.14 earlier this year. The Canada native ran an 11.42 in the 100-meter dash as well.
Sasha Garnett was the lone Nittany Lion to qualify for the national championships Thursday. The Johnstown, Pennsylvania native earned her first trip to nationals when she threw a 55-4.75 (16.88m) in the women’s shot put, tying the third-furthest mark in program history.
The second day of competition began with two seniors concluding their time with the blue and white. Alex Pancoast threw a 182-4.00 (55.58m) in the women’s hammer and Audrey Friedman posted a 153-0.00 (46.65m) in the women’s javelin.
Other notable performances from female Nittany Lion runners included Lea Hatcher, Tayissa Buchanan and Claire Daniels. Hatcher ran a 4:21.61 in the 1500-meter run, Buchanan clocked a 2:05.23 in the 800-meter run and Daniels closed out the second day with a 34:51.43 in the 10,000-meter run.
UP NEXT
Penn State continues its time in Lexington and the NCAA First Round Friday. The men’s high jump starts the events featuring Nittany Lions at 2 p.m.
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