Penn State's track and field team concluded the Penn State National Open with standout performances in throws and distance events. The throws group dominated, securing top spots and program records, while several athletes achieved personal bests. The meet wrapped up on Saturday in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The Penn State Nittany Lions finished strong on the second day of the Penn State National Open, held in University Park, Pennsylvania. The throws athletes took center stage, with three moving into the program's top 10 historical rankings.
In the men's shot put, Ryan Henry improved his personal best twice, throwing 65-0.00 (19.81 meters) to claim fourth place in Penn State history. On the women's side, Skye Petrie-Cameron won with a personal-best 53-1.75 (16.20 meters), securing seventh in program records, while Sasha Garnett took second at 52-10.75 (16.12 meters), moving to eighth all-time.
Distance runners also excelled. Kaleb Nastari finished third in the men's 1000-meter with a time that elevated him to eighth in program history. In the women's 3000-meter, Charlotte Costich ran 9:07.10 for fourth all-time, and Lea Hatcher clocked 9:09.35 for sixth.
Other highlights included Austin Gallant winning the men's 600-meter in a personal-best 1:17.02, with Jackson Smith third at 1:19.90, also a personal best. Robert Allen cleared 6-9.00 (2.06 meters) to win the men's high jump, and Gwen Cudmore placed fourth in the women's high jump at 5-8.0 (1.73 meters).
In the women's 500-meter, Macey Shriner and Akpan Abasiono took second and third with times of 1:14.08 and 1:15.62, respectively. Brendan Flynn finished fourth in the men's 3000-meter at 8:11.61 in his collegiate debut. Relay teams performed well too: the women's 4x400-meter squad placed fourth in 3:42.52, and the men's finished second in 3:11.01.
Meanwhile, teams like William & Mary and UMBC also competed, with UMBC noting personal bests from athletes including Anna Creel. The Nittany Lions next host the Sykes and Sabock Challenge on February 7.
