Trackmen set to face five teams in Ohio

By MATT WONG
Collegian Staff Writer

After improving its record to a perfect 8-0 with a strong performance at Army last weekend, the sizzling Penn State men's indoor track team is full of confidence heading into another weekend of action.

The Nittany Lions will take their unblemished mark on the road beginning at noon tomorrow to compete in Kent, Ohio, at Kent State University.

"You always have to walk into a meet with a swagger," Penn State head coach Harry Groves said.

The Lions will swagger into competition against West Virginia, Bowling Green, Ohio University, Toledo and host Kent State. Lion co-captain John Gorham said they are ready to go.

Groves is also looking forward to the meet, saying he really enjoys the potential of another five-team meet because of its ability to bring out the best in all attending athletes.

"With a meet like Kent, you have Kent who can outscore you, and the other teams can cut you up," Groves said. "We have to hit all the events and try to keep the opposition from steam-rolling every event."

Steam-rolling is exactly what the Lions did last week in West Point, N.Y., as five Lions won their events and two relay teams also took first to lead Penn State to a score of 275 points, battling off Army (240), Maryland (161), Manhattan (131) and Lafayette (57).

George Audu, who has been solid all season, led the way with wins in the long jump and the 55-meter dash. In addition, Ben Karcz won the 500-meter run, Joe Hubbard placed first in the 800-meter run, Bradd DelMuto won the 1,000-meter run and Ryan Olkowski took first in the high jump.

Olkowski, along with long jumper Gorham, earned provisional qualifying marks for nationals in their respective events.

The Lions look forward to continuing their hot start by running on Kent State's 300-meter track, which has a fast surface, Groves said.

"Things are going to sound a lot faster," he said. "It'll be a confidence booster."

Not like the Lions need it.