Philadelphia Freedom
Trackwomen send 25 runners to Penn Relays

By KATE CARDONI
Collegian Staff Writer

Time to run with the big dogs.

The Penn State women's track team has sent 25 athletes to compete against the best in the nation in the 105th annual Penn Relays this weekend in Philadelphia.

The meet is one of the most prestigious in the nation, featuring top-notch competitors from 22 states and nine countries.

This year more than 20,000 athletes and 90,000 spectators are expected to attend the meet, which takes place at Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Lady Lions had 25 athletes invited to compete, including All-American Shakeema Walker and freshman Deshaya Williams.

"This is a national-prominence meet," coach Teri Jordan said.

"It features the best of the nation and the world."

The Penn Relays began Tuesday with the heptathlon. The events resumed yesterday with field events, relays and medleys and will continue through Saturday.

Walker will compete in the triple and long jumps and Williams will compete in the discus and shot put. Walker will be featured in the Championship of America competition, a section for athletes who have had stellar performances in their events.

"It's very competitive," sprinter Laila Brock said.

"We are proud to have Shakeema in that section."

Brock will compete in the 4x100-meter relay, the 4x400-meter relay and the sprint medley.

Also for the Lions, thrower Carrie Karabinos will contend in the javelin and team captain Cara Madzy will run in the distance medley.

Felicia Cooksey and Jen Kern competed in the heptathlon, which concluded yesterday.

"We're expecting good things from those individuals," Jordan said. "It's a great meet with some great competition so we're hoping to do well."

Jordan considers the meet almost as important as the Big Ten and NCAA Championships.

"Sure, it's about the same level as Big Tens," Jordan said. "The competition is just as high and the intensity is as great."

Athletes are invited to attend Penn Relays based on qualifying times and outstanding performances.

In this year's race, athletes ranging from age 8 to 80 and coming from some top schools such as Texas and LSU and countries such as Canada, Puerto Rico, Ireland and Jamaica will compete..

The Lions have demonstrated the strength of their team in past meets.

The team has won three consecutive meets, which includes last weekend's Lady Lion Relays at home.

Yet, while the team shows physical capability, timing could prove to be a factor in some athletes' mental readiness. With final exams approaching, some athletes are feeling anxiety.

"It's difficult for the team at this time of year with finals coming up in the next few weeks, so that will be a factor," Jordan said. "Also, some of them had to leave Monday, so they'll be missing a lot of school.

"It's a good thing they're such good students."

Now the Lions have a chance to prove they're good athletes as well.

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