PSU Is 800U: Double School Record Day

Even Flo Track refers to "800U" or sometimes "Middle Distance U" which shortchanges the many other events which Nittany Lions are excelling in.  Like Shot Put, Javelin, and now Sprinting!  But yesterday's 800M races in Virginia again brings another post about the "half mile".

Danae Rivers demolished the school record in the women’s 800-meters with her time of 2:02.53, erasing the old mark of 2:03.09 set by Rebekka Simko back in 2012, finishing second in the event trailing only Virginia Tech’s Hanna Green (2:02.17). Rivers now owns both the indoor and outdoor 800-meter records in only her freshman campaign and has now been involved in five school records combined.

Isaiah Harris asserted himself as the best half-miler in school history as the sophomore All-American crossed the line in 1:45.12 to win the race and set the school record. The three-time reigning Big Ten Champion in the event spilt 52.57 on the opening lap and followed it up with an almost even 52.56 to close over the final 400-meters outlasting Florida’s Andres Arroyo who ran 1:45.75 for second. Harris erased the old school record of 1:45.28 set by Casimir Loxsom in 2011.

Harris was followed by teammate Domenic Perretta who ran a personal best of 1:47.29 that is the No. 10 time in program history.

Still the Ladies Man

Blog Muse and all-around Best Man Rob Whiteside took his daughter Phoebe to the Ivy League Cross Country Championships, better known as the Heptagonals. Look who they happened to run into!  I've always said he was everywhere, so be sure to mind your p's and q's.

I'll update the results of the B1G Championships here later. Go Lions.

Women finish in 3rd Place with Rebekkah Simko taking 5th place overall.

The Men end up in 6th with Robbie Creese placing 23rd.  


 

Women Impress at Wisconsin Invitational

I remember my very first "Big" race.  It was the 1977 Maryland Marathon and there were more than 2,000 runners signed up.  I was a newbie to the distance so I started in the back and spent the entire run passing people.  I couldn't believe how many there were.

But when there is nearly that many on a cross country course, it is especially tough.  Every twist and turn is a catastrophe waiting to happen.  The Wisconsin Invitational has become one of the most popular meets of the year and the expansion this year to nearly 50 teams makes it one of the biggest out there.  That's even considering they added a "B" race (to increase the total to more than 50!), which would have been a dream-come-true for me.

With many of the top teams in the country jockeying for rankings, the Nittany Lion Women impressed with an 8th place showing, tops in the Big Ten.  Rebekka Simko led the charge.  That shows some excellent range for a great 800 M runner.  (PSU is 800 U!).

The finish moved them to 14th in the NCAA rankings.

Reliving Old Times

Everybody already knows I'm quite partial to living in the past.

My daughter Martha ran the Carlisle Invitational today, which is one rather large High School XC race.  There are teams from Virginia, Maryland, New York and all over Pennsylvania.  It is the largest race I know of in the HS XC ranks, even bigger than any District or State Meet.  There are  3 JV Races,  3 Puma Challenge Races and 2 Championship Races. It's an all-day event on a fast, well-marked course.

The best part was seeing an old nemesis of mine from the late 70's.  Henry Klugh runs the Inside Track Running Store between Harrisburg and Hershey. I have previously made him an honorary member of our group, as he already knows many of us and keeps a lot of us in supplies.  I am sure that if you stop by his store he'll be glad to tell the story of how I made him the PA District 3 1-Mile Champion in 1977.  He'll also probably not charge you extra for your shoes and running extras!

Back in modern times, the PSU  Mens team placed 10th at the Greater Louisville XC Classic and the Women's team was 5th.  Transfer Senior Sam Masters paced the men in 17th place while Rebekka Simko was 15th for the women (with a 2 minute PR!!).

Gehret Moves On!

Brady Gehret was third in his heat of the opening round of the Olympic Trials 400 M, securing a place in the semi-finals.  His overall place was 11th with a 45.80 in the cold,cold Oregon rain.

Here's an article in the CDT on Brady sent by our intrepid and ever-vigilant Datum Procurement Specialist.  The photo was secured from Rebekka Simko, who placed 27th in the 800 M with a 2:07.33. Casimir Loxsom placed 26th in the 800 M with a 1:49.25.

Rebecca Donaghue ran a game 10000 M through the puddles,  placing 13th in 32:37.39.

Today, 3 with Nittany Lion ties put themselves in the circle in the Mens Shot Put.

Beauty and The Beasts

In addition to Brady Gehret and Casimir Loxsom, Rebekka Simko will also be on the track Friday at the Olympic Trials.  Her recent 2:03 School Record places her into the top echelon of American "half milers".

The photo shows Nittany Lions Joe Kovacs and Blake Eaton checking out the facilities at Hayward Field.  And don't forget Assistant Coach Ryan Whiting will join them to give the Shot Put a distinctive Blue hue.

Here's a better view of Hayward Field for Joe and Blake to peruse, with the addition of some great golf tips thrown in.

"PSU is 800 U" and Now YOU Can Help Expand Our Universe!

Yesterday in Indianapolis, Rebecca Simko set the new PSU 800 M record with a splendid 2:03.09.  Kara Millhouse kept the momentum going with a new PR in the 5000 M with a 16:16.72.  Congrats to everyone involved.

And I figured I didn't have enough on my hands with my day job, this blog, Twitter and Facebook activities so I started our group's very own Wiki.

That means YOU can help.  It's easy.  YOU get to add anything you want.  YOU can add new pages, topics, photos, videos or just a sentence or two.  Remember the mirth. 


Watch more video of 2012 American Miler's Club Series, Meet #4 on flotrack.org

Third First-Team All-American of the NCAA Championship Weekend

That's Brady Gehret on the Awards Stand for the 2012 NCAA 400 M Finals at Des Moines, Iowa.  He placed 6th in 45.44!  He'll be back in action today in the 4 X 400 M Relay.

The other All-Americans:

• Laura Loht - First Team - Javelin
• Lauren Kenney - First Team - Javelin
• Casimir Loxsom - Second Team - 800 M
• Melissa Kurzdorfer - SecondTeam - Hammer
• Rebekka Simko - Second Team - 800 M
• Women's 4 x 400 M Relay - Second Team - (Doris Anyanwu, Dynasty McGee, Ijeoma Iheoma, Kirsten Niewendam)
  

Nittany Lions Start NCAA Championships Today

There will be 6 Nittany Lions competing today at the NCAA Championships in Des Moines.

1. Will Barr - Discus
2. Lauren Kenney - Javelin
3. Laura Loht - Javelin
4. Casimir Loxsom - 800 M
5. Brady Gehret - 400 M
6. Rebekka Simko - 800 M

PSU is 800 U  and  PSU is Javelin U!

NCAA Bound

It was a fine Regional Qualifying Meet for PSU Athletes on both the track and the field.

1. Joe Kovacs - Shot Put                                                                                                            
2. Lauren Kenney - Javelin
3. Laura Loht - Javelin
4. Will Barr - Discus
5. Brady Gehret - 400 M
6. Casimir Loxsom - 800 M
7. Rebecca Simko - 800 M
8. Melissa Kurzdorfer - Hammer
9. Aaron Nodolsky, Brandon Bennett-Green, Casimir Loxsom, Brady Gehret - 1600 M Relay (3:03.57 School Record)
10. Doris Anyanwu, Dynasty McGee, Ijeoma Iheoma, Kristin Nieuwemdam - 1600 M Relay

PSU is 800 U: 2012 NCAA Edition

Casimir Loxsom moves on to the NCAA Finals with his victory in his heat at the Regionals. (1:47.69)



Bekka Simko also moves on to the Finals with her 2:05.81 effort!

Some Fine First Day Performances

Rebekka Simko stepped up from her usual distance and impressed with a victory in the 1500 M at the Bison Outdoor Classic at Bucknell on Saturday.  Her 4:20.11 is in the top 10 PSU performances all-time.
Robbie Creese continued his impressive Freshman exploits with  his 1500 M in a facility record 3:43.79.

The Lady Lions took the top 4 positions in the 3000 M Steeplechase with Natalie Bower leading them with a 10:25.46.  In the 10,000 M run, Chris Cipro PR'ed with a fine 29:53.07.

The Throwers continued their fine early season with Joe Kovacs and Will Barr going 1-2 in the Discus with throws of 176' 9" and 174' 8".

Events continue today in Lewisburg, PA.

Women Dominate Distance Events at B1G (That's the new-fangled symbol I'll never get used to!)

The PSU Mens Team ended up in 6th Place at the Big Ten Championships, while the Women placed 3rd overall.  Bolstered by the distance exploits of Caitlin Lane, Kara Millhouse, Brooklynne Ridder and Rebekkah Simko, the distance events were thoroughly dominted by speedy Lady Lions. 

Here's the Women's Mile final:



And congrats to Frugal Uncle Joe for winning the Mens Mile Prediction!

PSU is 800 U : Women's Edition

The PSU Women's  4 X 800 quartet also placed well in the Championship of America Race on Saturday.  Their 8:39.44 effort eclipsed the 1978 school record!  Congrats to Caitlin Lane (2:08.52), Rebekka Simko (2:08.36), Kaylin Fisher (2:12.46) and Maura Ryan (2:10.10). Certainly no slight is ever intended by my omission of such great efforts.  Blog fact-checkers have been reprimanded and admonished.  PSU is certainly 800 U.