A Glorious Day In State College

So I fled the real world yesterday for the wonders of Happy Valley.  I left behind all the negativity of bills, taxes and home maintenance requirements.  And I was rewarded like I never expected to be!

It was a glorious day in Happy Valley, with sunshine and temperatures reaching to 68 degrees! In the middle of February!  And did I mention that I'm talking about State College?

Here are some of the highlights of my day:

• Having Daughter the Younger drive the whole way to State College.  Got to see Daughter the Elder and our dog Pooky!
  
  
   
   
• Got to the track just in time to watch the final laps of the solo DMR effort of the Women to qualify for the NCAA.  Danae Rivers brought them home in 11:01 (and change) which is now the school record and the #2 time in the NCAA this year!  That makes 5 for 5 meets with a school record for Danae!

•  Saw Isaiah Harris leisurely run the first few laps in the Mile and then turn on the jets for a PR 4:05 (and change). 
  
• Had the opportunity to say hello to Coach Gondak and Owen Dawson.
  
  
  
  
• Had the pleasure to speak with the Skerpons and watch their daughter Elyse run a fine 600M to qualify for the Big Ten meet. The Skerpons haven't changed a bit in the years since their 1983 wedding.  I have.  I dare you to find me in the pic!

• Got word from the internets that PSU Track Alumni (Golfers) fared quite well in 800M shenanigans across the globe! 

 From jolly ole' England, as relayed from Ken Brinker!

Men’s 800: Cas Loxsom Gets a Big Win and a World Leader

One week ago, Loxsom looked out of place running the 1000m at the Millrose Games. But he closed quickly in that race to move up for second over the final 200, and he shined today in an event he’s far more comfortable in, the 800.

Loxsom got out well and stuck right on rabbit Bram Som, who took him through 400 in 50.28. By the time Som dropped out at 500, Loxsom had opened up a big gap on the field and at the bell (1:17.50), he had a lead of approximately 15 meters.

The rest of the field, led by 2015 world bronze medallist Amel Tuka, was closing hard as Loxsom was starting to tie up. But he dug deep and managed to hold on, and was rewarded for his aggressive running with a world leader of 1:46.13. Tuka wound up second in 1:46.59, a Bosnian national record, while American Erik Sowinski finished fourth in 1:46.85.

While in Arkansas, there was a minor earthquake as Billy  Cvecko slipped on his Alumni Singlet!

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Billy CVECKO

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1:55.14

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That's the leading time in the world this year and Cas's PR! And it isn't a bad effort by Billy, who is the hardest working man in track and field!

Lunch was Kung Pao Chicken, which was smuggled into the Ashenfelter Complex because the entire security world was focused on the Bryce Jordan Center and the Dance Marathon!

Dinner ended up being 3 lobster tails and bananas foster cheesecake.  Technically the lactose intolerance episode didn't occur until after midnight, so yesterday was still all golden!

Not a bad day in February in State College, am I right?