Feeling the Groove

Trackmen look to continue success at Bucknell-Hershey Relays

The Penn State men's indoor track team is looking to keep its success rolling this weekend at the Bucknell-Hershey Relays in Lewisburg.

The team had a strong showing at last year's meet, earning two first-place finishes to go along with four seconds and three third-place finishes.

Coach Harry Groves said this meet gives the team the chance to run specialized relays.

Relays play a big role later on in the season, Groves said, so this provides an opportunity to explore areas the team doesn't normally get to.

Senior sprinter Joe Loner said the team is looking to beat the competition and lower individual times.

"We're definitely going to have to step up our performances," Loner said. "We'll go in with a good attitude because it's tough competition."

In last year's meet, Loner ran a strong 4x400 meter relay leg and looks forward to running the event again this weekend.

"I hope to run below 49 seconds in the 400-meter relay leg." Loner said.

Junior John Gorham will look to leap for first place again in the long jump and the triple jump, the two events he won at the West Virginia Collegiate meet last weekend.

While the expectations may not be as high, the freshmen on the team showed Groves they were ready to compete when Bradd DelMuto won the 1,000-meter race and Ben Karcz won the 500-meter last weekend.

"They have good attitudes," Loner said. "They'll be successful and ready to compete."

Groves said he is happy about what some of his freshmen have accomplished but isn't expecting success right now.

"Freshmen are going to meet good competition," Groves said. "You can't expect them to do what upperclassmen do. Track is an experience sport."

There are 14 teams competing in the two-day event, including Lincoln, Coppin State, James Madison, Rutgers and host Bucknell, which are some of the stronger teams, Groves said.

"These teams are the biggest nuisance," he said. "They are like flies, you are always swatting at them."

Groves admitted Bucknell really loves to beat Penn State and the bragging rights are bigger for the Bison.

"If Bucknell beats us," he said, "they think that they just won the bowl game."

At some of these events, Groves said he sometimes feels like he is representing Joe Paterno and the football team.

"Every team is ready to jump on you," Groves said. "They think that they are beating the football team."