May 10, 2013
COLUMBUS, Ohio -
Friday Men's Results (HTML)
Friday Women's Results (HTML)
Complete Friday Results (PDF)
Junior Melissa Kurzdorfer (Lancaster, N.Y.) turned in a silver-medal finish in the hammer throw to lead the Nittany Lion efforts on day one of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, Friday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Also adding to the Nittany Lion total of classmate Emily Giannotti (Coudersport, Pa.), who posted a scoring finish in the women's 10,000-meters. The Nittany Lion women are in second place at the conclusion of day one, totaling 12 points on the opening day of competition.
"First day of the championship ended in great fashion with extremely competitive 10Ks from Emily Giannotti and Katie Rodden (Ardmore, Pa.)," said Director and Head Coach of Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan. "Emily has been on a mission all year and pulled off an outstanding finish to put us ahead of our predicted team score. It was also exciting to see such a great competitive response from Melissa, who earned us our first podium finish of the weekend. Unfortunately, the day was also extremely frustrating, as some the meet management and Big Ten coordination were difficult to deal with, on top of inclement weather and competition delays"
In third place with just two throws remaining, Kurzdorfer unleashed a toss of 195-9 (59.66) to move into second. The junior wasn't finished however, improving yet again on her final attempt to end the day with an effort of 199-10 (60.91). The finish was Kurzdorfer's second-straight silver medal finish in the event. Freshman Rachel Fatherly (Williamsport, Pa.) posted a promising Big Ten hammer debut, finishing as the top freshman in the competition at 12th overall. Fatherly would post a PR toss of 178-0 (54.26) on the afternoon.
In a battle for a top five finish in the closing laps, Giannotti mounted an impressive kick over the final 400 meters to finish the 6.2 mile effort in 34:58.91 - just over four seconds off her lifetime best in the event - to earn her first-career scoring finish in the event. Rodden also ran strong, recording an 11th-place finish overall with a finishing time of 35:36.75.
Also in position for a top five standing is junior Brittney Howell (Wyncote, Pa.), who currently ranks fourth after four events in the women's heptathlon. The junior was especially impressive in the sprints and hurdles, starting the day with an effort of 13.84 in the 100-meter hurdles - the fastest performance of the competition. Howell, who currently owns a 3259 point total, would also end on a high note, sprinting to a lifetime-best 24.71 in the 200 meters.
"Tomorrow will be a set up day for the finals," concluded Sullivan. "I believe all of our Lions are ready to get after it, and compete to their best."
Competition at the Big Ten Championships resumes at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday morning.