Penn State So Far At The USATF Championships, With A Big Day Today

So far, the top finish for PSU has been Karlee McQuillen's 6th in the Javelin.Here's the list, so far.  Today, top seed Casimir Loxsom and Joe Kovacs join Darrell Hill and Ryan Whiting in trying to do even better!

6        Karlee McQuillen        Javelin         56.76m (186-3)

8        Bridget Franek             300M SC     9:47.81
14       Brannon Kidder           800M         1:48.26

15       Evonne Britton            100M H      13.18

17       Robby Creese              1500M        3:47.12

17       Rachel Fatherly           Shot Put      16.49 (54-1 1/4)

17       Tori Gerlach                3000M SC   10:12.8

18       Kiah Seymour             400M H      58.66

Murmurs From Javelin Nation: (and What's Coming Next?)

I have had the longest dry spell of my blogging "career".  And it isn't through writer's block or anything.  I actually haven't had enough time to get to it.  I have been busy at work trying to get ready for my annual trip to Harper's Ferry (aka The Land of Internet Lost).  My day job really is interfering more and more with my blogging!  Here's gory proof of my latest work yesterday, an endoscopic plantar fasciotomy for recalcitrant plantar fascitis.  Despite what "know-it-alls" tell you, it's 94% successful at eradicating the scourge once-and-for-all.

This one was really smooth, taking 6 total minutes!

First up, we forgot to mention the fine PSU finishes in the Javelin at Day 2 of the USATF Championships.  Karlee McQuillen placed 8th with a toss of 181' 0" and Laura Loht finished 12th with a best of 163' 8".

I'm also working on a few posts of times gone by.  One is a detailed look back at the Phi Psi 500 again, this time through the eyes of a new internet friend and real-life friend of Pete Bortolotti and Charlie Maquire.  It turns out there is a healthy Hash House Harrier group in State College sponsoring frequent "Beer Miles".  That's something this near teetotaler never knew about.  I'll try to bring you more while on vacation, while complaining about camping as usual!

I'm also working on a look back at the 1975 NCAA Cross Country Championships, which were hosted at PSU's Blue Golf Course. The classic dual between Craig "Surgin" Virgin and Nick Rose was featured.  I had an opportunity to speak with Craig several years ago and you may be surprised by what he remembers most about that day!

And I'll bet Matt is sleeping in, but will bring us the news from Day 3 of the USATF Championships when he finally rouses. (Hint: nice run Cas!)

Penn State At The 2014 USATF Championships

A bunch of PSU Track Alumni* have qualified (or nearly qualified) for the National Championships  on June 26-29 in Sacramento, CA. Here's a complete** rundown:

                                Event               Mark        Status

Casimir Loxsom 800M 01:46.8 qualified Brannon Kidder 800M 01:46.9 qualified Brannon Kidder 1500M 03:38.8 qualified Joseph Kovacs Shot Put 21.52m qualified Darrell Hill Shot Put 20.57 qualified Ryan Whiting Shot Put 22.11 qualified Michael Shuey Javelin 72.69 accepted Rob Cardina Decathlon 7,508 not qualified Mahagony Jones 100M 11.29 accepted Mahagony Jones 200M 22.97 qualified Kara Foster 10000M 32:37.2 qualified Evonne Britton 100M H 13.09 qualified Evonne Britton 400M H 57.41 not qualified Kiah Seymour 400M H 55.88 qualified Tori Gerlach 3000M SC 10:03.5 not qualified Bridget Franek 3000M SC 09:41.2 qualified Brittney Howell Long Jump 6.37 not qualified Laura Loht Javelin 54.41 qualified Karlee McQuillen Javelin 53.59 qualified Brittney Howell Heptathlon 5,625 not qualified *Utilizing the all-inclusive definition of anyone having matriculated at a particular school, not just male graduates!       **Go ahead, be a jerk and point out the ones I've missed! I won't mind. Those in red have scratched or just missed qualifying.

Track and Field News US Rankings: Lions Are Everywhere!

The February (!) digital edition of Track and Field News is out, and the Nittany Lions are well represented in the season-ending US rankings.

At the top of the heap is Bridget Franek with her second place showing, the highest ranking ever by a Nittany Lady Lion in the Steeplechase.

Next is Casimir Loxsom's #6 appearance in the 800 M.  "PSU is 800U"

Karlee McQuillen makes the list at #10 in the javelin, another Nittany Lion strong point.

"Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics"

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."  -Author Unknown (Mark Twain popularized the saying.)

Track and Field is second on the list of sports to baseball with great statistics.  There are so many categories to keep every nerd like me interested.

Actually, nobody is telling a lie.  Our new Blog Laureate Larry Mangan has been skimming the record books and has come up with a few gems at year's end. He is quite relentless in the pursuit of accuracy, something I can't quite profess myself!

Several PSU performers are on the All-Time American Junior Lists:

1. Karlee McQuillen, ('11) - #4, #6, #7, #10 in the javelin (all in 2008) best 176’2”
2. Michael Timpson  - #5 performer 20.23 200 meter dash
3. Cas Loxom #6  performer 1:46.57 800 meter run
4.  Tracey Brauksiek # 10 performer 10:16.91 3000 M steeple

Big Day For PSU at National Championships!

There were Penn State athletes all over the track (and in the field!) today at the USATF Championships.  Previously, Karlee McQuillen placed 8th in the Javelin with her 170' 1" effort.  Laura Loht placed fourth in the Junior Javelin with a toss of 150' 8".

Three separate events had two PSU athletes in the finals today, plus Ryan Whiting adding a third "honorary" PSU competitor in the Shot Put.  Ryan, despite his Arizona State pedigree, has been training at PSU full-time.  He ended up in fourth place, making the World Championship team because Adam Nelson is returning as World Champion.  Congrats Ryan.  Joe Kovacs placed 14th with a toss of 62' 10".  Just behind him was Blake Eaton at 62' 8 1/4".

My favorite event, the 800 M, also had two PSU tracksters toeing the line.  Having negotiated the grueling plelims and semi-finals in spectacular fashion, both Casimir Loxsom and Sam Borchers placed 6th and 7th in their biggest race this year.  Nemesis Rob "Dr. Moriarty" Andrews trailed behind both in 8th.  The long college season seemed to take an obvious toll on them all in the final, but Cas especially gave it his all, running in 2nd place for the first 1 1/2 laps behind the only other college runner, Charles Jock.  Charles held on for 3rd place and a world Championship berth. Time is running out to get your "PSU is 800 U" t-shirts".

But again, PSU alum Bridget Franek out-shined them all.  Bridget's 2nd place 9:44.9 puts her on her 2nd World Championship team.  Former PSU star Stephanie Pezzullo placed 11th also.

I know I've missed a bunch.  Drop a line in the comments to set me straight!

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. 

Evonne Britton: National Junior Champion 400 M Hurdles

Evonne Britton one-upped her second place finish in the 100 M Hurdles at the USATF Junior Championships with a winning effort in the 400 M Hurdles.  She has qualified for the USA for the World Junior Championships upcoming in glorious Canada!  (You know, Canada, the country that's sort of like our attic.  You forget its up there, but when you finally remember, you find all kinds of great stuff up there.)

Karlee McQuillen also finished eighth in the Javelin. Megan Duncan finished 20th in the 400 M Hurdles, while Fawn Dorr, now representing Brooks, qualified for the finals of the 400 M Hurdles with the second fastest time.  Also qualifying was Shana Cox, former Lady Lion, giving Dear Old State two lanes in the finals.  Honorary PSU Track alumni Golfer Rebecca Donaghue placed 7th in the 5000M.  Brooklynne Ridder placed third in the  Jr.5000 M, just missing a place on the US Squad for Canada.

On to the NCAA Championships

Bridget Franek winning the Steeplechase. (Photo from Michael Scott.)

Fifteen individuals and 2 Relays qualified for the NCAA Championships in two weeks.  Some of the usual suspects and a couple of great surprises.  Nine women and six men will make the trek to Oregon's fabled Hayward Field.

Because of Bridget Franek's win in the steeplechase, she will toe the line in the event as the favorite.  Three also qualified in the 400 Hurdles with Fawn Dorr, Megan Duncan and Evonne Britton moving on.  The Sprints are also well represented with Aleesha Barber, Shavon Greaves.  Bianca Fung also qualified in the long jump and Karlee McQuillen tossed the javelin to third place booking her ticket to Oregon.

The Men also impressed, placing six individuals into the Championships.  800 U qualified two in the event, with Casimir Loxsom and Ryan Foster two-lapping into the next round. In the distances, Tyler McCandless ran a strong 10000 M to move on.

My emphasis on the track aspects of PSU Track and Field led a few Field Eventers to mildly protest at the Reunion, so here is another headline just for you!

Penn State Field and Track Team Impresses Crowd

In the Shot Put, Joe Kovacs and Blake Eaton both qualified for a trip to the West Coast.  Ryan Fritz also jumped at his chance of moving on and tied for first in the High Jump.

Back in the Saddle Again

Following the third place finish in the 4 X 800 at Penn Relays, the 800 U boys jumped right back up on the horse and thrilled spectators at the Payton Jordan Invitational on Saturday.  Cas Loxsom excelled and posted the top NCAA 800 M time so far this year with a 1:46.74 effort!  Ryan Foster also did not disappoint with a 1:47.78.  Lionel Williams rounded out the PSU performances with a 1:49.33 in the event.


Bridgit Franek again threatened the record book with her 15:46.8 in the 5000 M,  off the record of Kathy Mills from 1978 by 13 seconds. Sam Borchers is also rounding into shape,  posting a 3:46.67 in the 1500 M. 

The sprinters traveled to Ohio State where Fawn Dorr and Shavon Greaves both won 2 events apiece.  Dorr demolished the field in the 400 M and the 400 M hurdles while Greaves bested all in the 100 M and 200 M. Additionally, Karlee McQuillen won the javelin for the second week in a row.

The Nittany Lions have a home meet next week in preparation for the Big Ten Championships the following week.

Sometimes it takes more than one attempt to get it right.  This guy had to get back on the horse twice after failing to do a back-flip on a mega-ramp with a Big Wheel! Keep up the hard work and good things will happen.