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Penn State Is 800U - Penn Relays 2022 Edition

 

Penn State showed up in fine shape for the return of the Penn Relays 4 x 800M Championships of America.  The Women showed everyone what they can do at the big meets by winning the race in splendid fashion.  Ohio State put up a good fight, but the deep Lady Lions prevailed in 8:24.49.  I am trying to verify the actual order of athletes, but Rachel Gearing, Allison Johnson, Victoria Tachinski and Victoria Vanrielle  Victoria Vanriele (2:08.37), Rachel Gearing (2:04.27), Madaline Ullom (2:06.92), and Victoria Tachinski (2:04.95)were listed.  This was PSU's second wheel of the meet! (with the Sprint Medley Relay on Friday, another fine performance for 800U)  Madeline Ullom is an Ohio hs star coached by teammate Tom Rapp!

Splits in reverse order were: 2:08.37 / 2:04.27 / 2:06.92 / 2:04.95

The Men followed that up with a second place finish to the overwhelming favorite Ole Miss. They were rumored to be eyeing the Penn Relays Record of 7:11.17 of the 1985 Penn State squad, but came up short.  Two members of that 85 squad were in the stands enjoying the Carnival; Steve Shisler and  Vance Watson.  PSU ran to a fine 7:17.86 time, a time that has won quite a few Championships in the past.  Listed as running were Olivier Desmeules, Darius Smallwood, Evan Dorenkamp, and Domenic Perretta. Yukichi Ishii, Olivier Desmeules, Darius Smallwood and Domenic Perretta

Splits in reverse order were:   1:48.85 / 1:49.98 / 1:48.67 / 1:50.37

Some Notes On The Early Indoor Season Happenings

 I haven't been able to get to any meets yet this year, but there are some interesting things happening already with the teams and alums.

• Women's 800M - Freshman Allison Johnson ranks #1 in the early season with her 2:04.03 and Senior Victoria Tachinski right behind her in 6th with 2:04.68
• Rachel Gearing and Victoria Vanriele add 21st and 23rd rankings in the 800M which makes for a very robust 4 x 800M relay squad.
• Allison Johnson backs up her 800M with an additional #1 ranking in the 1000M and a #17 in the Mile!
  
• The Men have 2 Freshman 800M runners with 1:49 times in their young seasons, Olivier Desmeules and Darius Smallwood.
• Evan Dorenkamp won a highly contested 1 Mile with the nation's #14 time with a Nittany Lion #3 all-time of 3:57.15. He also has the nation's #2 time in the 1000M!
• Freshman Korbin Martino blistered a 46.57 400M for an 11th NCAA best.
• Alum Colin Abert ran a 7 second PR in the 3000M, dipping under 8:00 for the first time.