EUGENE, Ore. - Penn State opened competition at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Wednesday with a First-Team All-American performance from junior Ryan Henry, a Second-Team All-American finish from senior Collin Burkhart and a pair of men's 800-meter qualifiers from senior Niko Schultz and graduate student Allon Clay.
Henry capped his outdoor track and field season by advancing to the shot put final after recording a throw of 19.30m (63-4.00) in his opening three attempts. With three additional throws in the final, he improved his mark to an outdoor personal best of 19.65m (64-5.75), earning a sixth-place finish and First-Team All-American honors. His mark also moved him to fifth all-time in outdoor men's shot put. Graduate student Dylan Lambrecht finished 22nd in the event.
Burkhart wrapped up his outdoor track and field season with a personal-best hammer throw of 67.82m (222-6.00). His mark secured a 13th-place finish and Second-Team All-America honors while improving the third best performance on the program's all-time hammer list.
In the track events, Schultz and Clay each placed third in their respective 800m semifinal heats to qualify for the NCAA 800m final. Schultz clocked a 1:45.47, while Clay crossed in 1:45.76. Graduate student Yukichi Ishii placed 19th overall in the event.
Sophomore Ajani Dwyer ran 10.18 in the 100-meter semifinal to place 12th overall.
Sophomore Nick Sloff finished his season in the 1,500-meter semifinal, placing 23rd overall.
Competition continues Thursday as the Penn State women's track and field team begins its NCAA Outdoor Championships slate. Senior Hayley Kitching will compete in the women's 800m semifinal at 9:58 p.m. ET, while sophomore Sasha Garnett is set to take part in the women's shot put final at 10:10 p.m. ET.