Penn State senior Hayley Kitching has been named the Big Ten's Co-Track Athlete of the Week following a standout performance at the Nittany Lion Challenge. The Australian runner set a new NCAA record in the 1000-meter event. This accolade adds to her growing list of achievements in the sport.
Hayley Kitching, a senior mid-distance runner from Coffs Harbour, Australia, competing for Penn State, received recognition from the Big Ten Conference this week. On Saturday, at the Nittany Lion Challenge—an indoor track meet hosted by Penn State—she clocked a time of 2:38.45 in the 1000-meter race, shattering the previous NCAA record.
This mark eclipsed the 2:38.58 set by former Penn State athlete Danae Rivers in 2019. Kitching's achievement now places her among the elite in the event, and she currently holds three records in Penn State's historical ledger.
The Big Ten announcement highlighted her historic weekend performance, stating in a social media post: "After a historic weekend, Hayley's been named the Big Ten's Co-Track Athlete of the Week!" This honor underscores her dominance in mid-distance events during the indoor season.
The Nittany Lion Challenge served as Penn State's opening home meet of the indoor campaign, coming a month after strong showings at the Penn Opener. Kitching's record-setting run contributes to the team's momentum as they build toward conference and national competitions.
Such individual accolades often boost team morale and visibility in NCAA Division I track and field, where precision and endurance are paramount. Kitching's progression from international recruit to record-holder exemplifies the competitive depth within the Big Ten.
