Trackwomen destroy records in Ithaca

The Penn State women's indoor track team has a habit of breaking things. But in this case, the destructive nature of the team is good.

The Lady Lion distance medley relay team of Susanne Heyer, Kim McGreevy, Erica Bosler and Joetta Dweh destroyed a Penn State record of 11 minutes, 21.64 seconds with a time of 11:21 at Butler University last weekend. They also finished fourth in the NCAA nationals.

Other records such as lifetime- and season-best times were broken. Tracy Pombo ran a lifetime-best 2:15.34 in the 800-meter run, being one of many Lady Lions to pace the team to a second place finish at the Canada-American Classic in Ithaca, N.Y., last weekend.

Other Lady Lions who broke lifetime bests were Sheraie Darby in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.47 and McGreevy, who was timed at 4:44.35 in the mile while competing in the distance medley relay at Butler University.

As her nature suggests, Lady Lion coach Teri Jordan, was very low key in reminiscing about the weekend's events.

"I feel it was a good meet," she said. "We competed well and had a lot of season bests."

Bosler ran a season best in the 800-meter run. Jill Carroll and Kristie Rodgers also set season bests in their respective events.

Erin St. John credits the success of the team's performance to experience.

"I think it's because the team is older," she said. "We have more upperclassmen, who are progressing well."

St. John, a Lady Lion senior, qualified for provisional nationals in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9.32.77. Senior Tresa Hohnka raced to her first-ever national qualification in the 5,000-meter run with a 16:51.66, proving what St. John said was accurate.

"We're doing well," St. John said. "We have a more well-rounded team this year. I think we can improve, though."

With room for improvement, though, comes rest for the weary. The Lady Lions have this weekend off to get better, healthier and ready for the Big Ten championships on Feb. 22 to 23.

"We're ready to go to Big Tens and do one of the best jobs we've done," Jordan said. "We'll get a week to rest which will help. The team has really pulled together and performed exceptionally well this year."