Pitt
Penn State National Open
Panthers Post Season Best Marks at Penn State National
2/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Feb. 2, 2009
PITTSBURGH- The Panthers held their own this past weekend at the Penn State National Open as they were up against some of the best track and field athletes on the east coast. Runners who entered the meet with the top times were selected to run in the invitational portion of the meet. While only a few Pitt Panthers were selected to run in the invitational events, this did not stop them from placing well and posting outstanding marks.
On the women's side, junior Kaetlyn Brown came across the finish line with an impressive time of 56.43 in the 400 meter dash. Patricia Anyanwu, Mycaiah Clemons, and Kari Hedderick joined Brown in the 4x400 meter relay and finished in seventh place. In addition to running the 4x400 meter relay, Clemons ran her specialty, the 60 meter hurdles, and finished 14th crossing the line at 9.01.
Hedderick was eligible to run the 500 meter dash in the invitational section of the meet. She came in fifth place with a season best time of 1:15.64. In the 200 meter dash, Da'Lynn Mills secured first place with a time of 24.58 in the non-invitational portion of the meet.
In the field events, Janessa Murphy finished 12th with a mark of 5.57 meters. In the high jump, Kari Weimerskirch grabbed 17th with a mark of 1.58 meters.
The men's team recorded some season best times as well. Curtis Larimer came in fifth place in the 5000 meter run with a time of 14:34.87. Greg Kareis had an excellent meet as well. The freshman ran the mile and crossed the finish line in 4:15.67. Anthony Hobwana ran the 200 meter dash in the invitational portion of the meet finishing in eighth place with a time of 22.08.
In the field events, Nick Malenka came in fourth place in the pole vault and recorded his season best. In the shot put, Garrett Larkin came in 23rd with a throw of 15.57 meters.
Up next for the Panthers will be the New Balance Collegiate Invitational and the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup. The team will split up as athletes will travel to one of the two meets this weekend. Action at both meets begins Friday, Feb. 6 and wraps up Saturday, Feb. 7.
