Lady Lion distance runner Jenny Weaver once said that winning a track meet is not as important as achieving individually. Luckily, Penn State had some individual achievements this past weekend at the Big Ten Championships, because they sure didn't win.

The women's track Big Ten Championships, which showcased the talent of the best conference teams, was hosted by Purdue University on Saturday. Coming as no surprise, Michigan finished first with 141 points followed by Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State. With 10 points complimenting its 10th-place finish in the Big Ten, Penn State came in last.

"It was obviously a disappointment," Coach Teri Jordan said of the outcome. "I think we were fatigued from the long trip here. It took us 12 hours. That would take its toll on anybody." Jordan added that she is hoping the adminstration will change the travel plan to a more direct route for the outdoor season.

Alicia Porro, who ran in the 4x400 relay, said she felt the team had done its best.

"I know we came in last but everybody just put out a really good effort," Porro said. "It just wasn't enough to beat the other teams.

Some good did come of the bad, however. Kim Kelly and Kelli Hunt both provisionally qualified for the NCAAs in the 5,000 meters.

"It was obviously one of the high points of the meet," Jordan said of Kelly and Hunt. "Both are strong runners and have been working hard."

Freshman Kim Hicks threw for a distance of 13.50 in the shot put. Hicks, along with Porro, were the point winners for Penn State.

"It is great that Kim Hicks, as a freshman, was able to score," Jordan said. "I am looking for good things from her going into the outdoor season."

Running for a combined season best time was the 4x400 relay team of Kelly Mychalishyn (58.8 seconds), Jill Mallon (57.7), Adrienne McCray (57.9) and a healthy Kelly Hickman (57.2).

"I think right now (the Big Ten teams are) on a different level than we are," Porro said. "I think in the spring we're a lot stronger in the throwing events outdoors and there are a lot more running events outdoors. I just think it's going to take us a little bit to get into the swing of things."