Vin Stewart has had no problem limiting his participation on the track team the last four years. He has been spending his time in other endeavors.

Stewart has been concentrating on his role as defensive tackle for the 1994 Big Ten Champion Nittany Lion football team.

But Saturday, Stewart returned to the track, competing in the shot put this season for the first time since high school. He was one of the few bright spots for the Penn State indoor men's track team in a meet with Michigan and Michigan State.

Penn State finished with 40 points, 15 points behind first-place Michigan and six points behind second-place Michigan State.

While Penn State Coach Harry Groves said he was disappointed with the score, he was pleased with Stewart's performance.

"This was probably his best throw ever, taking into account he hasn't thrown since high school," Groves said.

Stewart overtook Michigan's Chris Lancaster on the last throw of the event. Stewart's throw of 55 feet, 7.5 inches was three feet better than Lancaster's throw.

Stewart said his main concern is trying to regain the form he showed in high school.

"I'm just trying to get my technique down," Stewart said. "It's not really hard to get back into. It's just a lot of technique and a lot of timing."

Stewart said he took up track again because a broken foot he suffered during the football season -- which kept him out of six games -- cost him a chance to end his athletic career at Penn State the the way he wanted.

"I was disappointed I didn't get a chance to make an impact at Penn State," Stewart said. "Hopefully, I can do it in track."

Groves said he was disappointed, but appreciated the competition. While Stewart's win in the shot put and James Robbins' win in the 400 meters provided high points for the Lions, little else went well. Groves said the problem may have been in the team's attitude toward the meet.

"You can't go into a track meet with a light attitude," said Groves. "It's kind of like being a gunfighter. Everybody is out to get you."

Groves said although he was disappointed by the third-place finish, he appreciated the competition.

"I thought that was one of the better things I've seen as far as coaching sportsmanship," he said. "We went out there the last two years and they both agreed to come out here this year. They didn't have to do that."