Classic learning experience for trackwomen

The Penn State women's indoor track team did not win any events on Sunday at the Boston Terrier Classic, but it did come away with more confidence as the Big Ten Championships approach.

"This meet definitely gave us confidence because it helped us prove that we can compete against some of the best schools," Penn State senior Erica Bolser said. "It was a good learning experience, especially for the younger athletes."

One of those younger athletes this meet helped is freshman Olutoyin Augustus.

"This meet gave me a good look at some real collegiate competition and gave me a better feel of what the Big Ten is going to be like," Augustus said.

Augustus led the Lady Lions with a fifth place in the 55-meter hurdles. Augustus' time of 8.04 seconds was her personal best but was short of the national qualifying time for the event.

The field at the Boston Terrier Classic consisted of some of the best women's track programs on the East Coast.

This was the Lions' first chance to face competition that compares to the teams they will battle for the Big Ten Championship in March.

"The competition here was good to help us prepare for the Big Tens," Bolser said. "The competition will only get better in the Big Ten, so it is good for us to compete with the best before they start."

Bosler ran the 800 meter in 2:12.81 to finish sixth in her heat.

Sophomore Laila Brock's time of 56.38 in the 400 meter was her season best and led her to a third-place finish in the event.

In the shot-put, senior Kim Hicks made it to the finals with a throw of 43-11 and junior Mary Jo Faust finished fifth in the 20-pound weight with a throw of 51-3.

Junior Lou Hohnka finished the unseeded 3000 meter in 10:7.66 for a second-place finish and in the unseeded mile, freshman Mary Beth Acker finished sixth with 5:5.81.

No one came home from Boston with gold, but the whole team did come home with more assurance they can compete with the best.

"We had some good times in Boston," Augustus said, "and they should only get better."