Wow!

In his first ever college race, Freshman Robbie Creese bided his time in the first half of his 1000 M race and then just turned on the gas. He never let up until the tape and then the fun began. His 2:19.53 was obviously better than Clothing Engineer Ryan Foster's School Record. But then it was also the facility record and the event record. As if that wasn't enough, it bettered Alan Webb's 2006 Junior Record. (Robbie won't turn 19 until August!) After additional checking it turns out his effort is the Indoor 1000 M Collegiate Record! This bettered a former 2008 Olympian's previous record, (Christian Smith).  Wow!

There were other signs of a big season upcoming from the Nittany Lions:

1. Caitlin Lane - School Record 1000 M  - 2:44.24.
2. Casimir Loxsom - School Record 600 M - 1:16.66.
3. Jane Swenson's second straight home victory in the shot put - 47' 7".
4. Will Barr's second straight home victory in the 35 lb weight throw - 60' 11.5" (approximately 60 ' further than I could ever throw it!) And this article on Will comes from Blog Laureate Larry Mangan.  We are trying to come up with a different title for Larry. which should be finalized following the Penn State National.)
5. Hanif Johnson- Triple Jump of 51' 4.25" (third in the nation!)
6. Jon Hendershot - another 7' clearance in the high jump.

I apologize for missing so many other worthy efforts!  I can't wait to see the Nits at the Penn State National!

Penn Relays!

Michael Syrnick brings us this great Friday photo of the events at Penn.  Let's hope his boss doesn't find out he wasn't "cough, cough" sick at all!  The 13 lanes (counting the "inside" first four lanes, and the practice straights) look great, don't they?

PSU has had some good showings already, with a 2nd place from Anya Uzoh in the decathlon(over 7,000 pts. for the first time), and a third place from
Brittney Howell in the heptathlon on Wednesday.  Karlee McQuillen won the javelin (158'4") for the second year in a row and Jane Swenson won the shot put (52'6").  Several PSU relay quartets are in the mix for Championship of America Wheels.  Cheesesteaks, jerk chicken, poorly home-made t-shirts, 17th century bathroom facilities and no parking!  Penn Relays is the greatest.  Coach Groves is attending his 66th out of 67th straight Penn Relays.