Trackwomen golden in debut at Invitational

A win is a win, even if the competition isn't the best. And the Penn State women's indoor track team achieved its second such win in as many meets Saturday at Kent State.

But what's more important than the win, over what probably won't prove to be Penn State's best competition, is that the Lady Lions are constantly improving and preparing themselves for fiercer competition later this season.

As part of the improvement, the team topped eight other teams Saturday in its first appearance at the Golden Flash Invitational with 154 points. Kent State finished second with 101 points, followed by Bowling Green with 73.

"The whole team really pulled together," said Penn State runner Erica Bosler. "It was a great team effort."

The Lions placed first despite missing runners Laila Brock and Susanne Heyer due to injuries.

Bosler won both the 600 meters and the 800 meters, with respective times of 1:35.12 and 2:18.5.

Penn State runner Tiffany Glenn added to Penn State's first-place finish with her winning time of :7.18 in the 55-meter dash. Teammate Olutoyin Augustus wasn't far behind, finishing second with a :7.20. Augustus placed first in the 55-meter high hurdles with a time of :8.10.

Penn State runner Mary Beth Acker ran a mile in 5:08.22, good enough for first place.

While the Lions were happy with the first-place finish, it was the individual times that meant more. Saturday's invitational at Kent State doesn't affect Penn State's Big Ten standing, but the individual times matter.

"My impression of the season so far is good," Glenn said. "My time dropped from last weekend so I was happy. I'm also doing better this year than I did at this time last year."

While her time in the 55-meter dash was an improvement from last weekend, Glenn said it wasn't good enough to qualify her for nationals. To do that, she said she would need a time of :6.90.

Competing at nationals is something that's on the minds of many Lions. And it's something that may happen for many of them, said Bosler.

"The team is really doing well this year," Glenn said. "Everyone is improving. We're definitely doing better this year than we did at this time last year."

The Lions will get a chance to continue to improve this weekend at the Boston Terrier Classic in Massachusetts.

"This weekend's meet is really big," said Bosler. "A lot of people have a good chance of qualifying for nationals. The competition will be really good. And when that happens, you tend to get faster times because (the other runners) push you harder."