Isaiah Harris NCAA Champion!

I can’t wait to talk to the alumni as they’ve been so supportive of us over the years.”

Isaiah Harris. 

The retro Singlet is always appreciated!

Another B1G Win!

Isaiah Harris runs a Personal Best of 1:44.76 to take down the collegiate record holder in the 800m! pic.twitter.com/dzuLbN8pwN

— NCAA Track & Field (@NCAATrackField) June 9, 2018

There has been a long line of excellent Penn State "2-lappers" who have paved the road that we affectionately call 800U.  And never mind that there are hundreds of others that weren't 800M runners among our group that have also helped cement that moniker even into the national Press.

The 800M is my favorite race to watch and I really enjoyed running it in high school. I just didn't have the talent to pull it off on a bigger stage.  But I consider myself fairly knowledgable on the event.  Watching Penn State half-milers over the last 20 years has been really fun.

Some notable PSU 800M runners I have had the pleasure to watch in the last 18 years

• Brannon Kidder
• Casimir Loxsom
• Domenic Perretta
• Matt Lincoln
• Owen Dawson
• Robby Creese
• Ryan Foster
• Sam Borchers

Add these guys to the other generations of middle distance specialists in the preceding generations all the way back to Alan Helffrich (1922-1923 800M NCAA Champion!) and you have 800U!

But all we were missing was another NCAA Champion in modern times.  And it hasn't been easy.  In the last several years there have been overwhelming dominant winners from domestic and afar.  Were we again to be satisfied with an incredible performance only to be celebrating another second place NCAA finish? (Brannon Kidder 2015, Casimir Loxsom 2013, Isaiah Harris 2017)

Very few had Isaiah Harris being able to slay the returning winner and NCAA record-holder Michael Saruni.  Very few except Isaiah and his coach, John Gondak.  They had a plan, and they had a program.  Us lucky Alumni who visited them a few weeks ago got to see that up close and personal.  And many of us started to believe.

The race was run to precision by Isaiah.  He demonstrated his intellect and wisdom at every stage. The fast opening lap of 51.x or so (rough guess) putting him in 5th place right near Saruni. It wasn't anything he hasn't done many times before.  He didn't panic, and held steady until the middle of the backstretch of the second lap.  Anticipating the surge of Saruni, Isaiah gently eased into the lead monentarily before Saruni rushed past, gaining a two-stride lead at the finish of the last turn.  He didn't panic, as Isaiah said he "saw blood" at that point, and knew that Saruni had used too much getting to where he was.

The last 100 meters was what all of us Alumni (Golfers) have been waiting for for "a few" years now. As Isaiah slipped by the defending champion, you could sense that the drought was finally over!

Isaiah eased a tad at the finish, possibly giving up another School Record, but nobody, including him, seems to care. Penn State was on the top of the podium!

Just last week I complimented Isaiah by noting that he has excelled in the classroom also, making all of us proud.  He also demonstrated his humility in post race interviews by including the Alumni in his thoughts.  I think he realizes how much we support the program's success in every aspect.  Any future 800 specialists out there have a role model and a college destination being represented with the highest recommendation posssible.

 

Did you miss the final of the men's 800-meter run from Friday? Well, we won't spoil who wins. 😏 #WeAre #PSUTF pic.twitter.com/vWbT7O6CP9

— Penn State Track & Field/Cross Country (@PennStateTFXC) June 9, 2018

Nittany Lions return to the Sunshine State, and Alumni unite at the Carlsbad 5000

I was thrilled to see some great results from this weekend's Florida Relays for the Nittany Lions.  It's actually been four years since the team made the trek down to Gainesville for this meet, and so to put that time elapse in perspective, I'll recall a few quick memories from that meet in 2011...

1) Chris Cipro, Sam Borchers, Tyler Corkedale, Connor Revord and I almost got eaten alive by an alligator.

2) Cipro ("Kipro" as announced by Flotrack's play-by-play broadcasters), Corkedale and I all toed the line for the men's 5K at about 11pm (delayed by five hours after the race was scheduled to start) Actually the cool air of the late evening probably benefited the whole field quite a bit.  That weekend was scorching hot I recall.  Race vid here:  http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238228-2011-Florida-Relays/video/481893-M-5k-H01-1403-Winning-Time#.VSDB8vnF9u4

3) Cip ran an inspiring anchor leg of the DMR in his first (and maybe his only ever?) collegiate 1600m/mile.  But the MVP was the lead off, Connor Revord, returning to his home state, for his first ever collegiate track race, running a solid 1200 leg, then letting BBG and Borch the Torch handle the middle stages of the race.  Vid here:  http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238228-2011-Florida-Relays/video/482142-M-dmr-H01#.VSDCcPnF9u4

Lo and behold, four years later, I'm sharpening up for a 5K once again, only this time it will be Mt. SAC.  The alumni singlet has been getting some love over here in San Diego, by the way.  This past weekend at the Carlsbad 5000 I had the pleasure of meeting the 2006 PSU grad, and 3:38 1500m man, Matt Lincoln, who picked me out from the crowd as I was sporting the singlet on my cooldown.  Small world, eh?

Classic Scarp tactics- hanging back early.  The neon green singlets are my track club buddies.  I go rogue w/ the white jersey.

More Submitted (and Stolen!) Photos of Alums As We Await the Final Day of the 2014 NCAA Prelims

Cas Loxsom and Sam Borchers (2010? NCAA 800M)

Ricky Garcia (circa 1981)

Greg Fredericks (second row) Cemetery Hill, Van Cortlandt Park (1971)  Thanks to George Brose for the photo!

Ricky Garcia (inside) and Ted Lyon (third ) high school race 1977.

Kyle and Owen Dawson with our new author Nick Scarpello

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!

PSU is 800 U: USATF Edition

Both PSU runners made it to the finals of the USATF National Championships tonite in Eugene.  Casimir Loxsom and Sam Borchers will be representing PSU in the finals on Sunday.  Make sure to order your limited edition "PSU is 800 U" t-shirt before they are sold out!  Congrats to both Cas and Sam, and also to Coaches Beth Alford-Sullivan and  John Gondak.

Addendum:  Blog favorite Bridget Franek also qualified for the finals in the 3000M SC.

PSU Track Alums in the News

1.  Shana Cox scored 10 pts. in her debut for Great Britain in the European Team Championships.

2.  Bridget Franek achieved the "A" standard in the recent NYC Diamond League meet with her 9:38.92 steeplechase.  She will be in action this week at the USATF Championships.

3.   Sam Borchers bettered his PR in the 800 at the NJ International Meet this weekend with a sterling 1:46.85, and also will be in action at the USATF Champs.

4.  Ryan Foster was also in action at the NJ Meet and won the Eamonn Coghlan 1500 with a season best 3:42.71.

5.  Rebecca Donahue had a nice little article in the CDT about her running and coaching.  Her State College Girls Team won the PIAA title.

6.  Tyler McCandless set his Marathon PR at Grandma's Marathon with his 2:17:09 for 11th place.  Sorry about missing this at first.  Blog fact-checkers have been heavily fined!

2 NCAA 800 M All-Americans (PSU is 800 U)

Cas Loxsom qualified for his first NCAA 800 M Final in yesterdays preliminary round  with a robust 1:47.34.  Worthy adversary Robby Andrews of Virginia just edged him at the tape.  Both move on to the finals automatically.

Sam Borchers was in the same heat and placed third, just slightly behind Cas, with a personal best 1:47.51.  Alas, he missed the finals by mere hundredths of a second in 9th place.  This gives him All-American status in what would have been his last race for PSU.  He qualifies for the USATF Championships with his time and could wear the blue and white colors one more time!  (A personal "way to go" from me to Sam.) I hope he remembers our alumni group in the coming years.

Next up in the Middle Distances is Tasmania's Ryan Foster in the 1500 M.

Don't forget your "PSU is 800 U" t-shirt, designed by PSU great Greg Fredericks.

PSU is 800 U: The Casimir Effect

I'm always striving to find content.  When I find content that fits both categories of PSU Track and Physics, I'm really happy.

The Middle Distance crew of PSU will be well represented at the NCAA Championships next week. Ryan Foster moves on in the 1500 M.  Both Casimir Loxsom and Sam Borchers have garnered spots in the 800 M.  Apparently Coach Gondak is good at more than golf!

And here's a link to a Physics article discussing the Casimir Effect!  Don't ask me, I was lost after the first sentence.

Almost a Bicycle!

I missed the Penn Relays 4 X 800 this year as I was scheduled for a Jazz Band Festival.  My daughter played in the youngest group among the entire Festival, and their group held their own quite well.  The all-volunteer and no audition group is quite talented and well trained.

Apparently, I missed one heck of a race this year.  The foursome of Lionel Williams, Sam Borchers, Ryan Foster and Cas Loxsom, came ever so close to getting another PSU Wheel, enabling them to have a bicycle, I suppose.  PSU will have to settle for a unicycle this year.  But momentum is building, recruits are starting to realize that PSU is the place to come, and that PSU Track Alumni (Golfers) have their back. (The golf is always optional!)  The Coaches are systematically creating an atmosphere fostering both high athletic and high academic achievement. As little by little, this momentum builds, the coaches will be able to point to our group as an example of enthusiasm unparalleled in Division I Track and Field.  A tradition worthy of all the hard work each of us contributed to PSU will grow and be envied by all the other programs.

A hat tip to the quartet of Virginia and a "good run" to each of the four Lions.  7:12.90
Lionel Williams (1:50.69), Samuel Borchers (1:47.56), Ryan Foster (1:47.95), Casimir Loxsom (1:46.70)

There's Those Orange Spikes Again!

The Nittany Lion squads split up into three parts and traveled all over the country two weeks prior to the Big Ten Championships.  Some decided that State College didn't have enough snow, so they headed to the Tyson Invitational in Arkansas!  Others wanted rain instead of snow and split for Washington and the Husky Classic.  Still others longed to get away from the hustle and bustle that is PSU, so they headed to Akron, Ohio and the Akron Invitational!

Caitlin Lane apparently saw PSU Track Alum Mark Hawkins' beautiful spikes and garnered her own set in order to achieve a PR in the 3000 M at the Husky Classic.*  Her 9:18.74 time puts her in the upper echelon of Lady Lions all-time.

The Men's Distance Medley Relay squad placed second at the same meet with a time of 9:35.68, second place all-time in PSU Indoor history. Owen Dawson, Aaron Nodolsky, Lionel Williams and Ryan Foster had a wonderful tune-up for the Big Tens in 2 weeks.

And the Big Men again nabbed first and second place with excellent throws in Akron Ohio.  Blake Eaton edged Joe Kovacs, 62' 10.5" to 62' 1.25".  Both also placed well in the discus, an event not commonly  seen indoors.

Sam Borchers emerged from the early heats in the mile with a season best of 4:03.91, a race that saw 4 PSU runners under 4:10.  (Nick Scarpello, 4:09.62; Tyler Corkedale, 4:09.23; and Owen Dawson 4:07.47)

* Liberties may have been taken with the reported timing of the spikes purchase for dramatic effect.

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.