NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Highlighted by a record setting performance by Evan Dorenkamp, the Penn State track & field team kicked off the Music City Challenge in Nashville on Friday.
Dorenkamp smashed the Penn State mile record by over two seconds on Friday, posting a time of 3:55.02. The previous record of 3:57.11 was set by Robby Creese in 2011. Dorenkamp's time ranks second in the Big Ten this season and seventh in the NCAA this season. Teammate Brandon Hontz also had a strong showing in the race, posting a personal best 4:02.00. Eric Hamel added a personal best in the final event of the day, recording a 14:11.17 in the 5000-meter run.
Tyler Merkley continued his big start to 2022, setting his personal record in the weight throw for the third time this season with a toss of 21.36m (70-1). Merkley ranks third in the Big Ten in the event.
The men's jumpers also had solid performances on Friday, with Isaac Osifo placing third in the high jump (2.07m) and Luke Knipe placing fourth in the pole vault (5.07m).
The Nittany Lions also saw strong days for the women's jumpers, with Breana Gambrell placing second in the long jump with a season best 6.24m jump and Cecelia Bacon placing third in the high jump with a 1.70m jump.
On the track, Yasmin Brooks (24.53) and Jane Madson (24.58) both set new personal bests in the 200m. Faith Demars (16:12.57) and Allison Willingmyre (16:24.75) closed out the evening with personal records in the 5000m.
Competition on Saturday is set to begin at 10 a.m. ET. and can be streamed live on SEC Network/ESPN+.
FULL RESULTS: https://live.pttiming.com/?mid=4850
