Forward thinking
Trackwomen look to qualify for NCAAs at Penn Invite

By GWENN MILLER
Collegian Staff Writer

Even though the Penn State women's track team is only entering its second meet of the outdoor season, many team members already have their sights set on the end of the year.

The Lady Lions will be competing in the Penn Invitational at 10 a.m. tomorrow in Philadelphia, and once again, the meet provides a chance for individuals to qualify for the NCAA Nationals in June. But unlike last week's meet at North Carolina State, this competition will provide the entire team an opportunity to compete.

"This isn't really a big meet, but freshmen and people who don't get to travel a lot will have the chance to go," senior thrower Jen Pastore said.

But unfortunately for Pastore, she will not be among the Lions making the journey. The All-American javelin thrower is redshirting the entire 1999 outdoor season due injury. While her talents will be missed this season, the Lions have several other possible qualifiers for the national meet.

According to coach Teri Jordan, there is another thrower who has a good chance of qualifying this weekend. Junior Carrie Karabinos had a strong 1998 season and is now fourth on the all-time Penn State performance list with a throw of 165-4 last year.

While Karabinos will be striving for the longest distance, teammate Felicia Cooksey will be aiming for the highest height.

The junior high jumper had a successful indoor season, finishing second at the ECAC Championships. Jordan said Cooksey also has a chance to qualify for nationals in the pentathlon, an event in which she placed fourth again at the ECAC Championships.

While the field events are a definite strength for Penn State, the track events cannot be ignored. According to Jordan, junior Susanne Heyer will be a likely competitor in the national meet. Heyer is a middle-distance runner and qualified last year for the meet.

Shakeema Walker is the only definite NCAA qualifier thus far in the season. The senior All-American earned a provisional qualification in the triple jump at last week's Raleigh Relays. Walker is also the defending Big Ten champion in the triple jump and the ECAC champion in the long jump.

Even though national qualification is the main goal for the Lions, Jordan said they simply want to improve times and distances. But in addition to the competition aspect of the meet, the team has one more wish.

Said Jordan: "Hopefully this will be the first outdoor meet with good weather, and we can compete well."